Methodology from obra/superpowers (MIT)

Brainstorming & Design-First

Hard gate: no code before design approval.

Phase 1 -- Understand the Problem

1. Clarify the user's goal. Ask "what problem does this solve?" not "what should I build?"
2. Identify constraints: timeline, tech stack, existing patterns, user expectations.
3. Define success criteria -- how will we know this is done and done well?
4. List non-goals explicitly to prevent scope creep.

Phase 2 -- Generate Alternatives