Codex MCP Server

# Brainstorming Examples This guide provides practical examples of using the brainstorm tool for various creative and problem-solving scenarios. ## Software Development ### Feature Ideation Generate innovative features for your application: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "innovative features for a code editor that would delight developers", "methodology": "divergent", "domain": "software", "ideaCount": 20, "includeAnalysis": true } } ``` ### Architecture Decisions Explore architectural options: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "ways to scale our API to handle 10x traffic", "methodology": "scamper", "domain": "software", "constraints": "budget $5000/month, current stack is Node.js + PostgreSQL", "existingContext": "Current setup: 2 servers, 1 database, handling 1000 req/sec", "ideaCount": 15 } } ``` ### Performance Optimization Find creative performance improvements: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "reduce React app bundle size by 50%", "methodology": "convergent", "domain": "software", "existingContext": "Current bundle: 2.5MB, already using code splitting", "constraints": "cannot remove existing features, 1 week timeline", "includeAnalysis": true } } ``` ## Product Development ### User Experience Improvements Enhance user satisfaction: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "improve onboarding experience for developer tools", "methodology": "design-thinking", "domain": "product", "existingContext": "Current onboarding: 5 steps, 40% completion rate", "ideaCount": 12, "includeAnalysis": true } } ``` ### Competitive Differentiation Stand out from competitors: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "unique selling points for our CI/CD platform", "methodology": "lateral", "domain": "product,marketing", "existingContext": "Competitors: GitHub Actions, CircleCI, Jenkins", "constraints": "must be implementable with current team of 5", "ideaCount": 15 } } ``` ### MVP Features Define minimum viable product: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "essential features for project management tool MVP", "methodology": "convergent", "domain": "product", "constraints": "3-month development timeline, $50k budget", "ideaCount": 10, "includeAnalysis": true } } ``` ## Problem Solving ### Bug Prevention Proactive quality improvements: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "prevent production bugs before they happen", "methodology": "scamper", "domain": "software", "existingContext": "Average 5 bugs/week reaching production", "constraints": "cannot slow down deployment frequency", "ideaCount": 20 } } ``` ### Technical Debt Reduction Strategic debt management: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "tackle technical debt without stopping feature development", "methodology": "convergent", "domain": "software,business", "existingContext": "30% of time spent on maintenance, legacy codebase", "constraints": "team of 8, quarterly release cycle", "includeAnalysis": true } } ``` ### Crisis Management Handle urgent situations: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "recover from data breach incident", "methodology": "convergent", "domain": "security,business", "constraints": "24 hours to respond, limited PR budget", "ideaCount": 10, "includeAnalysis": true } } ``` ## Team & Process ### Workflow Optimization Improve team efficiency: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "reduce code review turnaround time from 3 days to 1 day", "methodology": "scamper", "domain": "process", "existingContext": "Team of 10, 20 PRs/day, async across timezones", "ideaCount": 15 } } ``` ### Remote Collaboration Enhance distributed team work: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "improve remote pair programming experience", "methodology": "design-thinking", "domain": "process,software", "constraints": "team across 5 timezones, varying internet speeds", "ideaCount": 12 } } ``` ### Knowledge Sharing Build learning culture: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "encourage knowledge sharing in engineering team", "methodology": "divergent", "domain": "culture,process", "existingContext": "Monthly tech talks, internal wiki exists but rarely updated", "ideaCount": 20 } } ``` ## Business Strategy ### Revenue Generation Find new income streams: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "monetize open-source developer tool", "methodology": "lateral", "domain": "business", "constraints": "must keep core features free, maintain community trust", "ideaCount": 15, "includeAnalysis": true } } ``` ### Cost Reduction Optimize expenses: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "reduce AWS costs by 40% without impacting performance", "methodology": "convergent", "domain": "infrastructure,business", "existingContext": "Current: $50k/month, 80% on compute, 20% on storage", "ideaCount": 12 } } ``` ### Market Expansion Grow your reach: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "expand developer tool into enterprise market", "methodology": "scamper", "domain": "business,marketing", "existingContext": "Strong in startup segment, no enterprise customers", "constraints": "limited enterprise sales experience", "ideaCount": 15 } } ``` ## Creative Solutions ### Unconventional Approaches Think outside the box: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "use game design principles to make testing fun", "methodology": "lateral", "domain": "software,gaming", "ideaCount": 20 } } ``` ### Cross-Industry Innovation Apply ideas from other fields: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "apply restaurant industry practices to software deployment", "methodology": "lateral", "domain": "software,hospitality", "ideaCount": 15 } } ``` ### Future-Proofing Prepare for tomorrow: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "prepare codebase for AI-assisted development future", "methodology": "divergent", "domain": "software,ai", "constraints": "5-year horizon, current team skills", "ideaCount": 25 } } ``` ## Methodology Comparison ### Same Problem, Different Approaches See how different methodologies yield different results: ```javascript // Divergent: Generate many ideas const divergent = { name: 'brainstorm', arguments: { prompt: 'improve API documentation', methodology: 'divergent', ideaCount: 25, }, }; // Convergent: Refine and focus const convergent = { name: 'brainstorm', arguments: { prompt: 'improve API documentation', methodology: 'convergent', existingContext: 'Have auto-generation, versioning, examples', ideaCount: 8, }, }; // SCAMPER: Systematic exploration const scamper = { name: 'brainstorm', arguments: { prompt: 'improve API documentation', methodology: 'scamper', ideaCount: 15, }, }; // Design Thinking: User-centered const designThinking = { name: 'brainstorm', arguments: { prompt: 'improve API documentation', methodology: 'design-thinking', ideaCount: 12, }, }; // Lateral: Unexpected connections const lateral = { name: 'brainstorm', arguments: { prompt: 'improve API documentation', methodology: 'lateral', ideaCount: 10, }, }; ``` ## Advanced Patterns ### Iterative Brainstorming Build on previous sessions: ```javascript // Session 1: Broad exploration let session1 = await mcp.call('brainstorm', { prompt: 'ways to improve developer productivity', methodology: 'divergent', ideaCount: 30, }); // Session 2: Deep dive on top ideas let session2 = await mcp.call('brainstorm', { prompt: 'expand on top 5 productivity ideas', methodology: 'scamper', existingContext: session1, ideaCount: 25, }); // Session 3: Implementation planning let session3 = await mcp.call('brainstorm', { prompt: 'create implementation roadmap', methodology: 'convergent', existingContext: session2, constraints: 'Q1 timeline, team of 4', includeAnalysis: true, }); ``` ### Constraint-Based Innovation Use limitations as creative catalysts: ```javascript { "name": "brainstorm", "arguments": { "prompt": "build real-time collaboration with only 1 server", "methodology": "lateral", "constraints": "1 server, 100ms latency max, 1000 concurrent users", "domain": "software", "ideaCount": 15 } } ``` ### Comparative Analysis Generate and compare alternatives: ```javascript // Option A: Microservices const microservices = await mcp.call('brainstorm', { prompt: 'benefits of microservices architecture for our platform', methodology: 'convergent', domain: 'software', ideaCount: 10, }); // Option B: Modular Monolith const monolith = await mcp.call('brainstorm', { prompt: 'benefits of modular monolith for our platform', methodology: 'convergent', domain: 'software', ideaCount: 10, }); // Synthesis const decision = await mcp.call('brainstorm', { prompt: 'synthesize architecture decision', existingContext: `Microservices: ${microservices}\nMonolith: ${monolith}`, methodology: 'convergent', ideaCount: 5, }); ``` ## Tips for Better Results ### 1. Provide Rich Context ```javascript // Good: Specific context { "prompt": "reduce build time", "existingContext": "Current: 15 min, webpack, 50k LOC, 200 dependencies", "constraints": "cannot change build tool" } // Less effective: Vague { "prompt": "make builds faster" } ``` ### 2. Use Appropriate Methodology - **New ideas:** `divergent` - **Refining solutions:** `convergent` - **Systematic exploration:** `scamper` - **User problems:** `design-thinking` - **Creative breakthrough:** `lateral` ### 3. Iterate and Refine Start broad, then narrow focus based on promising ideas. ### 4. Combine with Analysis Use `includeAnalysis: true` for feasibility and impact assessment. ### 5. Set Realistic Counts - Quick session: 5-10 ideas - Thorough exploration: 15-25 ideas - Exhaustive analysis: 30+ ideas ## Related Resources - [Brainstorm Tool API](../api/tools/brainstorm.md) - [Basic Usage](./basic-usage.md) - [Advanced Usage](./advanced-usage.md) - [FAQ](../resources/faq.md)