Brainstorm

Run a compact diverge-to-converge loop.

Workflow

1. Frame: goal, constraints, audience, success criteria, assumptions.
2. Baseline: state the simplest honest solution first. Every option must beat it; the baseline stays a candidate.
3. Diverge: distinct options across practical, high-leverage, and unusual angles.
4. Challenge: weak assumptions, failure modes, tradeoffs, rejections. Always: reject speculative generality (each abstraction, layer, flag, and data copy needs a current caller) and verify load-bearing "needed" claims in the consuming code, not doc assertions.
5. Compare: only relevant criteria, plus deletion cost (how easily the option can be removed later). Ties go to the smaller option.
6. Converge: strongest 3 picks with rationale and a next step. Self-review first: for each new constant, object, layer, and flag ask "why do we need this?" Cut answers that are only messaging or future-proofing.

Formats

Use Quick by default. Use Deep only for ambiguous or high-stakes decisions. Ask at most one clarifying question only if missing context would materially change the brainstorm; otherwise state assumptions and proceed.