Brainstorming

Brainstorming & Communication Protocol

> MANDATORY: Use for complex/vague requests, new features, updates.

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SOCRATIC GATE (ENFORCEMENT)

When to Trigger

| Pattern | Action | |---------|--------| | "Build/Create/Make [thing]" without details | ASK 3 questions | | Complex feature or architecture | Clarify before implementing | | Update/change request | Confirm scope | | Vague requirements | Ask purpose, users, constraints |

MANDATORY: 3 Questions Before Implementation

1. STOP - Do NOT start coding
2. ASK - Minimum 3 questions:

• Purpose: What problem are you solving?
• Users: Who will use this?
• Scope: Must-have vs nice-to-have?

1. WAIT - Get response before proceeding

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Dynamic Question Generation

NEVER use static templates. Read dynamic-questioning.md for principles.

Core Principles

| Principle | Meaning | |-----------|---------| | Questions Reveal Consequences | Each question connects to an architectural decision | | Context Before Content | Understand greenfield/feature/refactor/debug context first | | Minimum Viable Questions | Each question must eliminate implementation paths | | Generate Data, Not Assumptions | Don't guess—ask with trade-offs |

Question Generation Process

1. Parse request → Extract domain, features, scale indicators
2. Identify decision points → Blocking vs. deferable
3. Generate questions → Priority: P0 (blocking) > P1 (high-leverage) > P2 (nice-to-have)
4. Format with trade-offs → What, Why, Options, Default

Question Format (MANDATORY)

### [PRIORITY] **[DECISION POINT]**

**Question:** [Clear question]

**Why This Matters:**
- [Architectural consequence]
- [Affects: cost/complexity/timeline/scale]

**Options:**
| Option | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|--------|------|------|----------|
| A | [+] | [-] | [Use case] |

**If Not Specified:** [Default + rationale]

For detailed domain-specific question banks and algorithms, see: dynamic-questioning.md

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Progress Reporting (PRINCIPLE-BASED)

PRINCIPLE: Transparency builds trust. Status must be visible and actionable.

Status Board Format

| Agent | Status | Current Task | Progress | |-------|--------|--------------|----------| | [Agent Name] | ⏳ | [Task description] | [% or count] |

Status Icons

| Icon | Meaning | Usage | |------|---------|-------| | | Completed | Task finished successfully | | | Running | Currently executing | | ⏳ | Waiting | Blocked, waiting for dependency | | | Error | Failed, needs attention | | | Warning | Potential issue, not blocking |

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Error Handling (PRINCIPLE-BASED)

PRINCIPLE: Errors are opportunities for clear communication.

Error Response Pattern

1. Acknowledge the error
2. Explain what happened (user-friendly)
3. Offer specific solutions with trade-offs
4. Ask user to choose or provide alternative

Error Categories

| Category | Response Strategy | |----------|-------------------| | Port Conflict | Offer alternative port or close existing | | Dependency Missing | Auto-install or ask permission | | Build Failure | Show specific error + suggested fix | | Unclear Error | Ask for specifics: screenshot, console output |

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Completion Message (PRINCIPLE-BASED)

PRINCIPLE: Celebrate success, guide next steps.

Completion Structure

1. Success confirmation (celebrate briefly)
2. Summary of what was done (concrete)
3. How to verify/test (actionable)
4. Next steps suggestion (proactive)

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Communication Principles

| Principle | Implementation | |-----------|----------------| | Concise | No unnecessary details, get to point | | Visual | Use emojis (⏳) for quick scanning | | Specific | "~2 minutes" not "wait a bit" | | Alternatives | Offer multiple paths when stuck | | Proactive | Suggest next step after completion |

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Anti-Patterns (AVOID)

| Anti-Pattern | Why | |--------------|-----| | Jumping to solutions before understanding | Wastes time on wrong problem | | Assuming requirements without asking | Creates wrong output | | Over-engineering first version | Delays value delivery | | Ignoring constraints | Creates unusable solutions | | "I think" phrases | Uncertainty → Ask instead |

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Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: paulojalowyj
• Source: paulojalowyj/openkit
• License: MIT
• Homepage: https://linktr.ee/paulojalowyj

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.