brainstorm Tool

Generate innovative ideas using structured creative methodologies and domain-specific context.

Overview

The brainstorm tool leverages AI models to generate creative solutions using various brainstorming frameworks. It provides structured idea generation with optional feasibility analysis and domain-specific optimization.

Syntax

{
  "name": "brainstorm",
  "arguments": {
    "prompt": "string",           // Required
    "model": "string",            // Optional
    "methodology": "string",      // Optional
    "domain": "string",          // Optional
    "constraints": "string",     // Optional
    "existingContext": "string", // Optional
    "ideaCount": "number",       // Optional
    "includeAnalysis": "boolean", // Optional
    "approvalPolicy": "string",  // Optional
    "sandboxMode": "string",     // Optional
    "fullAuto": "boolean",       // Optional
    "cd": "string",             // Optional
    "yolo": "boolean"           // Optional
  }
}

Parameters

Core Parameters

prompt (required)

• Type: string
• Description: The brainstorming challenge or question to explore
• Example: "ways to improve API performance"

model (optional)

• Type: string
• Default: gpt-5.2-codex
• Options: "gpt-5.2-codex", "gpt-5.1-codex-max", "gpt-5.1-codex-mini", "gpt-5.2"
• Recommendation: Use gpt-5.2-codex for creative tasks

methodology (optional)

• Type: string
• Default: "auto"
• Options:
  • "divergent" - Generate many diverse ideas
  • "convergent" - Refine and focus existing ideas
  • "scamper" - Systematic creative triggers
  • "design-thinking" - Human-centered approach
  • "lateral" - Unexpected connections
  • "auto" - AI selects best method

Context Parameters

domain (optional)

• Type: string
• Description: Domain context for specialized brainstorming
• Examples: "software", "business", "creative", "research", "product", "marketing"

constraints (optional)

• Type: string
• Description: Known limitations, requirements, or boundaries
• Example: "budget under $10k, must work with existing infrastructure"

existingContext (optional)

• Type: string
• Description: Background information or previous attempts
• Example: "We tried caching but it didn't help enough"

Output Parameters

ideaCount (optional)

• Type: number
• Default: 12
• Range: 1-50
• Description: Target number of ideas to generate

includeAnalysis (optional)

• Type: boolean
• Default: true
• Description: Include feasibility, impact, and implementation analysis

Execution Parameters

approvalPolicy (optional)

• Type: string
• Options: "never", "on-request", "on-failure", "untrusted"
• Description: When approval is required

sandboxMode (optional)

• Type: string
• Options: "read-only", "workspace-write", "danger-full-access"
• Description: File system access level

fullAuto (optional)

• Type: boolean
• Default: false
• Description: Enable full automation

cd (optional)

• Type: string
• Description: Working directory

yolo (optional)

• Type: boolean
• Default: false
• Description: Bypass all safety measures

Methodologies Explained

Divergent Thinking

Generates a wide variety of ideas without immediate judgment:

{
  "prompt": "ways to reduce server costs",
  "methodology": "divergent",
  "ideaCount": 20
}

Convergent Thinking

Refines and combines existing ideas:

{
  "prompt": "optimize our top 3 solutions",
  "methodology": "convergent",
  "existingContext": "1. Caching 2. CDN 3. Code splitting"
}

SCAMPER Method

Systematic approach using triggers:

• Substitute - What can be substituted?
• Combine - What can be combined?
• Adapt - What can be adapted?
• Modify/Magnify - What can be emphasized?
• Put to other uses - Alternative applications?
• Eliminate - What can be removed?
• Reverse/Rearrange - What can be reordered?

{
  "prompt": "improve user onboarding",
  "methodology": "scamper"
}

Design Thinking

Human-centered problem solving:

{
  "prompt": "improve developer experience",
  "methodology": "design-thinking",
  "domain": "software"
}

Lateral Thinking

Creates unexpected connections:

{
  "prompt": "innovative data storage solutions",
  "methodology": "lateral"
}

Examples

Basic Brainstorming

{
  "name": "brainstorm",
  "arguments": {
    "prompt": "ways to improve code review process"
  }
}

Domain-Specific with Constraints

{
  "name": "brainstorm",
  "arguments": {
    "prompt": "reduce AWS costs",
    "domain": "cloud-infrastructure",
    "constraints": "maintain 99.9% uptime, no service degradation",
    "ideaCount": 15,
    "includeAnalysis": true
  }
}

Product Feature Ideation

{
  "name": "brainstorm",
  "arguments": {
    "prompt": "new features for code editor",
    "methodology": "design-thinking",
    "domain": "product",
    "existingContext": "Current features: syntax highlighting, autocomplete, Git integration",
    "ideaCount": 10
  }
}

Technical Problem Solving

{
  "name": "brainstorm",
  "arguments": {
    "prompt": "optimize database query performance",
    "methodology": "convergent",
    "domain": "software",
    "constraints": "Cannot change database engine, limited to current schema",
    "existingContext": "Tried indexing and query optimization",
    "includeAnalysis": true
  }
}

Marketing Campaign Ideas

{
  "name": "brainstorm",
  "arguments": {
    "prompt": "launch strategy for developer tool",
    "methodology": "scamper",
    "domain": "marketing",
    "constraints": "Limited budget, B2B focus",
    "ideaCount": 20
  }
}

Output Format

With Analysis Enabled

## Brainstorming Results: [Topic]

### Methodology: Design Thinking

### Domain: Software Development

---

### Idea 1: Automated Code Review Bot

**Description:** AI-powered bot that provides initial code review
**Feasibility:** High - Existing APIs available
**Impact:** Medium-High - Saves 30% review time
**Implementation:** 2-3 weeks with existing tools
**Challenges:** Initial setup, false positive handling

### Idea 2: Pair Programming Scheduler

**Description:** Smart calendar integration for pair sessions
**Feasibility:** Medium - Requires calendar API integration
**Impact:** Medium - Improves collaboration
**Implementation:** 1-2 weeks
**Challenges:** Time zone handling, availability conflicts

[... more ideas ...]

### Summary

- Total ideas generated: 10
- High feasibility: 4
- High impact: 3
- Quick wins: Ideas 1, 5, 7
- Long-term investments: Ideas 3, 8

Without Analysis

## Brainstorming Results: [Topic]

1. **Automated Code Review Bot** - AI-powered initial reviews
2. **Pair Programming Scheduler** - Smart calendar for pair sessions
3. **Review Metrics Dashboard** - Track review efficiency
4. **Code Review Templates** - Standardized review checklists
5. **Async Review Mode** - Time-shifted review process
   [... more ideas ...]

Advanced Usage

Iterative Refinement

// Round 1: Generate ideas
{
  "prompt": "ways to improve API performance",
  "methodology": "divergent",
  "ideaCount": 20
}

// Round 2: Refine top ideas
{
  "prompt": "refine and combine the top 5 performance ideas",
  "methodology": "convergent",
  "existingContext": "[previous results]"
}

Multi-Domain Exploration

{
  "prompt": "cross-functional solutions for slow deployments",
  "domain": "software,business,operations",
  "methodology": "lateral",
  "ideaCount": 15
}

Competitive Analysis

{
  "prompt": "differentiation strategies vs competitors",
  "domain": "product",
  "existingContext": "Competitors offer similar features at lower price",
  "methodology": "scamper",
  "constraints": "Cannot compete on price alone"
}

Best Practices

1. Be Specific

// Good: Specific problem
'ways to reduce API response time from 2s to 200ms';

// Less effective: Vague
'make API faster';

2. Provide Context

{
  "prompt": "improve user retention",
  "existingContext": "Current retention: 60%, churn mainly in first week",
  "constraints": "No additional budget for incentives"
}

3. Choose Appropriate Methodology

• New ideas: Use divergent
• Refining solutions: Use convergent
• Systematic exploration: Use scamper
• User-focused: Use design-thinking
• Creative breakthrough: Use lateral

4. Iterate on Results

Start broad, then narrow:

1. Generate many ideas (divergent)
2. Analyze and filter
3. Refine top candidates (convergent)
4. Develop implementation plans

5. Set Realistic Counts

• Quick session: 5-10 ideas
• Thorough exploration: 15-25 ideas
• Exhaustive analysis: 30-50 ideas

Common Use Cases

Software Development

• Architecture decisions
• Performance optimization
• Feature prioritization
• Technical debt reduction
• Testing strategies

Product Management

• Feature ideation
• User experience improvements
• Competitive differentiation
• Roadmap planning
• MVP definition

Business Strategy

• Cost reduction
• Revenue generation
• Process optimization
• Market expansion
• Risk mitigation

Team & Process

• Workflow improvements
• Communication enhancement
• Onboarding optimization
• Knowledge sharing
• Culture building

Tips for Better Results

1. Frame Problems as Opportunities

Instead of: "Fix slow database" Try: "Opportunities to enhance database performance"

2. Include Stakeholder Perspectives

{
  "prompt": "improve deployment process",
  "existingContext": "Developers want speed, ops wants stability, business wants features"
}

3. Consider Multiple Timeframes

{
  "prompt": "scaling strategies",
  "constraints": "Quick wins for next month, long-term for next year"
}

4. Combine with Other Tools

// First: Analyze current state
{ "name": "ask-codex", "arguments": { "prompt": "analyze @src/ performance" } }

// Then: Brainstorm improvements
{ "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": {
  "prompt": "optimize identified bottlenecks",
  "existingContext": "[analysis results]"
}}

Related Tools

• ask-codex - Execute analysis before brainstorming
• fetch-chunk - Handle large brainstorming results
• ping - Test connectivity
• help - Show available options

See Also

• Getting Started
• Brainstorming Examples
• FAQ
• Troubleshooting