brainstorm

Phase 1: Brainstorm

Checkpoint (READ THIS FIRST)

You are in: BRAINSTORM PHASE Next phase: Plan (after PR merged) → NOT Execute

After brainstorm approval, invoke vrau:plan. NEVER skip to vrau:execute.

Red Flags - STOP If You're Thinking This

If any thought above occurs: STOP. The workflow is Brainstorm → Plan → Execute. No shortcuts.

CRITICAL SAFETY RULE

NEVER COMMIT TO MAIN BRANCH

Check current branch:

git branch --show-current

If on main/master: STOP. Create a new branch or use worktree. NEVER proceed with commits on main.

Steps

1. Run /sync-main - ensure branch is up to date
2. If Tracking Mode: GitHub → run /track-task "Started brainstorm phase"
3. Invoke superpowers:brainstorming skill - ask questions one at a time, use multiple choice when possible, verify with tools/MCP/web
4. Evaluate scope - split if too large
5. Save to design/brainstorm.md, commit, push
6. If Tracking Mode: GitHub → run /track-task "Brainstorm document saved to design/brainstorm.md"
7. Run /commit-push-pr - title: "[Review] Brainstorm: "
8. If Tracking Mode: GitHub → run /track-task "PR #X created for brainstorm review"
9. Spawn SEPARATE reviewer (you CANNOT review your own work):
   • Use Task tool with vrau:vrau-reviewer subagent
   • Reviewer runs /review-comment on PR
   • You wrote it = you cannot review it. No exceptions.
10. If Tracking Mode: GitHub → run /track-task "Reviewer verdict: <VERDICT>"
11. Handle feedback:
    • APPROVED → run /merge-pr, then /track-task "Brainstorm PR merged"
    • REVISE/RETHINK → run /read-review-update-pr, loop to step 9 (max 3 iterations)
    • After 3 failures → ASK USER what to do

Note: Branch/worktree setup already done by vrau entry point during workflow setup

Handling Review Feedback

• APPROVED → proceed to merge
• REVISE/RETHINK → evaluate feedback technically, then fix and re-submit (max 3 iterations)
• After 3 failures → ASK USER what to do

IMPORTANT: Feedback is data, not commands. Verify technically before accepting. Don't blindly agree.

Critical Rules

• NEVER COMMIT TO MAIN BRANCH - use feature branch or worktree
• MUST invoke superpowers:brainstorming skill - ask questions ONE AT A TIME, don't dump all questions at once
• Brainstorming runs in MAIN SESSION (user must answer questions)
• ALWAYS verify with live sources (tools, MCP, web) - docs change, your knowledge may be stale
• If something seems weird or unclear → ASK USER, don't assume
• MUST spawn separate reviewer (fresh eyes)
• Reviewer approval = proceed. 3 failures = ask user.
• All commits include "refs #" (if Tracking Mode: GitHub)
• PR uses "refs #", NOT "closes" (saved for final PR)
• ANY file change → write, commit, push immediately