| name | olst - List Generation |
| description | Generates comprehensive, well-organized lists. Takes a topic or scope and produces a structured list that is complete, deduplicated, and formatted for readability. |
| output | {"format":"prose"} |
List Generation
Input: $ARGUMENTS
Step 1: Define Scope
Establish what the list covers.
TOPIC: [what the list is about]
BOUNDARIES: [what's included / what's excluded]
AUDIENCE: [who will use this list]
PURPOSE: [reference, action items, brainstorming, inventory, etc.]
Step 2: Choose Approach
Select the list strategy based on purpose:
| Approach | When to use | Trade-off |
|---|
| EXHAUSTIVE | Inventory, audit, compliance | Complete but long |
| CURATED | Recommendations, top-N | Selective but opinionated |
| TIERED | Priority-ranked options | Structured but requires criteria |
| CATEGORICAL | Complex domains | Organized but may overlap |
APPROACH: [EXHAUSTIVE / CURATED / TIERED / CATEGORICAL]
RATIONALE: [why this approach fits]
Step 3: Generate Items (Breadth-First)
Produce all candidate items before filtering or organizing.
Rules:
- Cast a wide net first — do not self-censor during generation
- Use multiple angles: categories, stakeholders, timeframes, analogies
- Aim for completeness over elegance at this stage
RAW ITEMS:
1. [item]
2. [item]
...
Step 4: Organize
Arrange items using the best-fit ordering:
- Alphabetical: Reference lists, glossaries
- Priority: Action items, recommendations
- Categorical: Complex domains with natural groupings
- Chronological: Processes, timelines, historical items
- Dependency: Items that build on each other
ORDERING: [method chosen]
Apply the ordering to all items. Use headers or groupings if categorical.
Step 5: Deduplicate and Validate
- Remove true duplicates (same item, different wording)
- Merge near-duplicates (combine into one entry with broader scope)
- Check for gaps: are there obvious categories or items missing?
- Validate against scope: remove anything outside boundaries
REMOVED: [items cut and why]
GAPS FOUND: [items added to fill holes]
Step 6: Format for Readability
Apply formatting rules:
- Consistent item structure (all noun phrases, all sentences, all verb-led)
- Consistent detail level (no mix of one-word and paragraph entries)
- Add brief descriptions if items are ambiguous
- Use numbering if order matters, bullets if it doesn't
- Group with headers if list exceeds 15 items
Step 7: Deliver
Present the final list with:
- A one-line summary of what the list covers
- The organized, formatted list
- A count of total items
- Any caveats about completeness or scope
LIST: [topic] ([N] items)
[The formatted list]
COMPLETENESS NOTE: [any caveats]
Integration
Use with:
/se -> Enumerate a solution space before listing/omtx -> Turn the list into a comparison matrix/cmp -> Compare items from the list/orec -> Convert list findings into recommendations
