// Use when researching documentation patterns after brain-jam phase. Analyses exemplar READMEs from similar high-star repositories, scores against rubric, extracts patterns.
Use when determining project tone, voice, and marketing angle after deep-dive and crystal-ball phases. Conducts brainstorming session with Gemini.
Use when analysing future opportunities after deep-dive phase. Identifies performance improvements, technical debt, security hardening, and feature gaps. Outputs roadmap candidates table.
Use when starting the README pipeline to extract technical facts from codebase. Identifies project type, tech stack, dependencies, entry points, CI configuration. Outputs Reality Report.
Use when writing the final README after all phases complete. Synthesises outputs from deep-dive, crystal-ball, brain-jam, and think-tank. Applies Anti-Slop style guide.
Use when creating or updating a README. It enforces the 5-step 'Anti-Slop' pipeline and triggers the correct sub-skill for the current phase.
| name | think-tank |
| description | Use when researching documentation patterns after brain-jam phase. Analyses exemplar READMEs from similar high-star repositories, scores against rubric, extracts patterns. |
Goal: Extract high-converting patterns from similar tools and identify "Anti-Patterns" to avoid.
Read the governance files:
references/scoring-rubric.md (How to grade quality).references/badge-ecosystem.md (Which badges signal what).references/gemini-deep-research.md (How to execute Gemini deep research).Based on project context from codebase analysis, match on:
| Criterion | How to Match |
|---|---|
| Category | Same project type (CLI, library, framework, API, etc.) |
| Tech Stack | Same or similar languages/frameworks |
| Ecosystem | Same package manager (npm, PyPI, Cargo) |
| Complexity | Similar scope (simple util vs enterprise tool) |
| Maturity | Established projects with proven documentation |
Search queries:
"best [project-type] [tech-stack] github"
"awesome [technology] list"
"[similar-tool] alternatives github"
Find 10-15 candidates, then narrow to top 5-7 based on stars and initial quality scan.
Before accepting research findings, validate them.
| Phase | Activities | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Define Scope | Establish parameters before research | Parameter block |
| Gather Context | Structured information capture | Context template |
| Multi-Source Triangulation | Check multiple sources | Source comparison |
| Validation | Test claims, run examples | Evidence notes |
Every research finding should connect to a README section:
| Research Finding | Section It Informs |
|---|---|
| Target audience characteristics | "Who This Is For" section |
| Common user problems | "Features" framing |
| Competitor gaps | "Why This Project" positioning |
| User language patterns | Terminology choices |
| Installation friction points | Quick Start optimisation |
Rate each README 1-10 on these dimensions:
| Dimension | Weight | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Value Proposition | 20% | Problem and solution crystal clear in first paragraph |
| Time to Joy (TTJ) | 20% | Commands to first working result (target: 2-3) |
| Visual Quality | 15% | GIFs, diagrams, code blocks, dark mode support |
| Structure | 15% | Logical flow, scannable, TOC if >200 lines |
| SEO Signals | 10% | Keywords in title, semantic headers, topics tagged |
| Badge Quality | 10% | Informative badges, 5-7 max, consistent style |
| Maintenance Signals | 10% | Recent commits, active issues, working links |
| Metric | Good | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Flesch-Kincaid Grade | 8-10 | >12 (too complex) |
| TTJ (commands to result) | 2-3 | >5 |
| Visual Density | 1 per 300 words | >600 words without visual |
| Badge Count | 5-7 | >10 or 0 |
CRITICAL: Scan the text for the "Delve Index" (Delve, Seamless, Tapestry, Unleash, Landscape).
| Score | Assessment |
|---|---|
| 9-10 | Exemplary - study closely |
| 7-8 | High quality - good patterns |
| 5-6 | Average - selective borrowing |
| 3-4 | Below average - learn what not to do |
For each high-scoring exemplar, extract:
Hero Section:
Structure:
Visuals:
Writing Style:
| Category | Signal | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Build Status | "Code compiles and tests pass" | Always |
| Code Coverage | "Maintainers care about testing" | If coverage >60% |
| Version | "This is a releasable product" | If published to registry |
| Social Proof | "Crowd has vetted this" | Only if numbers impress (5000+ stars) |
| License | "Legal to use in my project" | Always |
| Activity | "Project is alive" | Only if actively maintained |
Pick ONE style across all badges:
flat - Modern, clean (most projects)flat-square - Sharp edges (technical projects)for-the-badge - Large, bold (hero sections only)Minimal (3-4): Build Status, Version, License
Standard (5-6): Build Status, Coverage, Version, Downloads, License
Comprehensive (7 max): Build Status, Coverage, Quality, Version, Downloads, License, Last Commit
| Section | When to Include |
|---|---|
| Quick Start | Always - first thing after hero |
| Installation | Always - multiple methods if applicable |
| Usage/Examples | Always - show, don't just tell |
| API Reference | Libraries and frameworks |
| Configuration | If configurable |
| Architecture | Complex projects with multiple components |
| Contributing | Open source projects seeking contributions |
| FAQ | If common questions exist |
| Troubleshooting | If known gotchas exist |
# Think-Tank Research Results
## Summary
- **Repos Analysed:** [X]
- **High Quality (8-10):** [X]
- **Key Patterns Identified:** [X]
## Top Exemplar: [Repo Name]
- **Score:** [X]/10 (Slop Penalty: [Yes/No])
- **Why it wins:** [specific reason]
- **Steal this:** [specific pattern]
## The Blueprint (Our Plan)
### 1. Visual Strategy
- **Hero:** [e.g., Terminal GIF using VHS]
- **Architecture:** [e.g., Mermaid Graph LR]
- **Density Target:** One visual every [X] words.
### 2. Badge Selection
_(Selected from references/badge-ecosystem.md)_
- [Badge 1]: [what it signals]
- [Badge 2]: [what it signals]
- [Badge 3]: [what it signals]
### 3. Structural Flow
1. Hero & Badges
2. Description (The Hook)
3. Quick Start (Time-to-Joy)
4. ...
### 4. Anti-Patterns to Avoid
- [Thing]: Common mistake seen in lower-rated READMEs
Ask: "Research complete. We have the Badge list, Visual strategy, and Structural plan. Ready to wield the pen?"
pen-wielding