01
It starts by itself
new feature request. Runs in Claude Code.
- ↻ new feature request
a request to create, add or change behavior
Jesse Vincent · 402K installsPrime Radiant · Keyboardio · Request Tracker, SuperpowersBrainstorming skill
Runs by itself, every time you ask for something new.
Nothing gets built before you approve the plan.
Install the Brainstorming skill and make it a habit: follow https://gethabit.dev/skills/obra/brainstorming.md
- 1Copy
- 2Paste into Claude Code, Codex or Cursor
- 3It runs by itself
402K installs303K starsMIT licenceSource on GitHub ↗
Brainstorming
by Jesse Vincent · 402K installs
The skill
Asks you questions first, then writes a design before building.
Only when you ask.
Less rework
Nothing gets built before you approve the plan. Less rework and fewer wrong builds.
↻ Runs by itselfevery time you ask for something new
How the habit works.
You don't have to.
When does it start? How does it check its work? What does it remember?
One run, step by step.
Then it stops.
Stops after one design doc per request and one round of builder-check questions.
- 01
Look first
The agent reads what you pointed at and the code it touches before its first message.
- 02
Ask one question
Each message ends with one specific question, with an offer to just dive in if you did not ask for brainstorming.
- 03
Play it back
As each part becomes clear, it describes that part back and asks what is wrong or missing.
- 04
Lay out approaches
In a message of its own it presents two or three ways to build it, recommends one and lets you pick.
- 05
Write the design
It sizes the work and writes a short or full design doc, committed under docs/superpowers/specs/ in a repo.
- 06
Builder check
For a project, a fresh subagent reads the doc with builder-check-prompt.md and the agent brings back only your questions.
- 07
Approve and plan
After you approve the doc, the agent invokes superpowers:writing-plans and no other skill.
What it may do.
Nothing more.
It writes only in its own folder and asks you before anything goes out.
- Writes only indocs/superpowers/specs/**
- Talks tono outside service
- Sendsnothing
- Your OKIt asks you before anything goes out.
Is it for you?
Use it when it fits.
Read both lists. If the left one sounds like you, the Brainstorming skill helps.
Use it when
- ✓ You start a new feature or project
- ✓ Your request leaves big questions open
- ✓ You want a design doc before code
Skip it when
- – The request is fully clear, like a color change
- – You only want a throwaway spike
Brainstorming skill, answered.
Can I skip the questions?
Yes. Say you want it to just dive in; the skill ends and the agent states its main how-it-gets-made choice in one line.
Are spikes allowed?
Yes, if you say yes to one; it stays throwaway, and keeping it goes back through the gate.
How do I install the Brainstorming skill?
Copy the prompt at the top into your agent. It installs the skill from obra/superpowers and sets up the habit. Or run npx skills add obra/superpowers --skill brainstorming.
Is the Brainstorming skill free?
Yes. It is published under MIT. Habit is free too.
Brainstorming. Now as a habit.
Install the Brainstorming skill and make it a habit: follow https://gethabit.dev/skills/obra/brainstorming.md
All Jesse Vincent skills →More planning skills →
Works in
- Claude Code
- Codex
- Cursor
- ChatGPT
- Claude app
Made by Jesse Vincent, published under MIT. Habit links to the original and never changes it. Is this your skill?