scratchpad

# Scratchpad > *Working memory for thinking out loud.* The simplest skill. Just a place to write. > [!TIP] > **The PLAY surface.** Not everything needs structure. Sometimes just write. --- ## What This Is A file where you can: - Think through problems - Draft before committing - Store intermediate results - Keep notes that don't belong elsewhere No structure required. Just write. --- ## When to Use - Exploring an idea before formalizing - Working through a multi-step calculation - Drafting text before placing it - Temporary storage during complex tasks --- ## Structure ``` scratchpad/ ├── SCRATCHPAD.md # Main scratch area └── archive/ # Old scratches (optional) ``` That's it. Minimal by design. --- ## Philosophy > **"The simplest tool is often the most useful."** Not everything needs structure. Sometimes you just need a place to write freely. --- ## Contents | File | Purpose | |------|---------| | [SKILL.md](./SKILL.md) | Protocol documentation | | [scratch.md.tmpl](./scratch.md.tmpl) | Scratchpad template | --- ## The Intertwingularity Scratchpad is the PLAY stage — think freely before structuring. ```mermaid graph LR SP[📝 scratchpad] -->|PLAY stage| PLL[🎮📚🚀 play-learn-lift] SP -->|structures into| PL[🗂️ planning] SP -->|structures into| RN[📓 research-notebook] PLL -->|freeform in| SP ``` --- ## Dovetails With ### Sister Skills | Skill | Relationship | |-------|--------------| | [play-learn-lift/](../play-learn-lift/) | Scratchpad IS the PLAY surface | | [planning/](../planning/) | When you need structure | | [research-notebook/](../research-notebook/) | For organized investigation | | [session-log/](../session-log/) | Scratchpad is NOT logged (ephemeral) | ### Protocol Symbols | Symbol | Link | |--------|------| | `PLAY-LEARN-LIFT` | [PROTOCOLS.yml](../../PROTOCOLS.yml#PLAY-LEARN-LIFT) | | `IMPROVISE` | [PROTOCOLS.yml](../../PROTOCOLS.yml#IMPROVISE) — Write before structuring | ### Navigation | Direction | Destination | |-----------|-------------| | ⬆️ Up | [skills/](../) | | ⬆️⬆️ Root | [Project Root](../../) | | 🗂️ Sister | [planning/](../planning/) | | 📓 Sister | [research-notebook/](../research-notebook/) |