brainstorming

name	brainstorming
description	Use before implementing a new feature, changing behavior, or making design-heavy decisions in Cursor. Helps clarify intent, explore approaches, and get approval before coding.

Brainstorming

Purpose

Turn an idea into an approved design before implementation starts.

Workflow

1. Review the current project context.
2. Ask focused clarifying questions, preferably one at a time.
3. Summarize the problem, constraints, and success criteria.
4. Propose 2-3 approaches when trade-offs matter.
5. Recommend one approach with reasoning.
6. Present the design and get approval before coding.

What To Cover

• User goal
• Scope boundaries
• Key UI or architecture decisions
• Data flow or state handling
• Error handling
• Testing and verification

Rules

• Do not jump into implementation on an underspecified request.
• Prefer smaller scope unless the user explicitly wants more.
• If the user says "you decide", still present your recommendation before coding.
• If the task is large or the user wants a formal artifact, save the design to docs/plans/YYYY-MM-DD-<topic>-design.md.

After Approval

• If the user wants a formal implementation plan, use writing-plans.
• If the user wants direct implementation, proceed using the approved design.