Mantis MCP Server

--- description: Guidelines for identifying when to enter creative phases and how to transition between normal processing and creative thinking globs: alwaysApply: true --- # CREATIVE PHASE TRIGGERS & TRANSITIONS > **TL;DR:** Recognize when a task requires dedicated creative thinking and explicitly enter a creative phase. This document explains how to identify creative phase triggers, how to transition into/out of creative phases, and how to select the appropriate creative phase type based on the problem. ## 🔍 WHEN TO ENTER A CREATIVE PHASE Enter a creative phase whenever you encounter: 1. **Multiple viable approaches** to solving a problem with significant trade-offs 2. **Complex design decisions** that require systematic analysis 3. **Problems with competing constraints** that need careful balancing 4. **Tasks requiring exploration** of multiple options before implementation 5. **Situations where decisions have far-reaching consequences** 6. **Architecture or algorithm planning** that impacts multiple components ### Specific Triggers by Domain #### Algorithm Design Triggers - Implementing a complex algorithm with performance constraints - Designing data structures for specialized use cases - Working with tree, graph, or dynamic programming problems - Optimizing existing algorithms with specific constraints - Creating new computational approaches #### UI/UX Design Triggers - Designing layouts with complex information hierarchy - Creating component structures with extensive state management - Designing responsive interfaces with complex constraints - Planning complex user flows - Addressing accessibility and usability challenges #### Architecture Planning Triggers - Designing service boundaries and communication patterns - Creating data storage and access strategies - Planning security and authentication systems - Designing for scalability and resilience - Creating deployment and infrastructure models ## 🚨 MANDATORY CREATIVE PHASES FOR LEVEL 3-4 TASKS Creative phases are NOT optional for Level 3-4 tasks. They MUST be used for: 1. **All component architecture decisions** in Level 3-4 tasks 2. **All state management approaches** in Level 3-4 tasks 3. **All UI/UX design decisions** affecting multiple components 4. **All data modeling decisions** with system-wide implications 5. **Any algorithm implementation** with performance or scalability requirements **Failure to conduct appropriate creative phases for these elements constitutes an incomplete implementation process.** ## 🚦 HOW TO INITIATE A CREATIVE PHASE When you identify a need for creative thinking: 1. **Pause regular task processing**: Stop the implementation flow 2. **Confirm the need**: Verify the problem requires structured thinking 3. **Select phase type**: Choose the appropriate creative phase type 4. **Declare phase start**: Use the creative phase entry marker 5. **Enter structured thinking mode**: Switch to systematic analysis and exploration Example transition into creative phase: ``` While working on implementing the user profile system, I've identified that the data storage approach requires careful consideration of multiple options and trade-offs. 🎨🎨🎨 ENTERING CREATIVE PHASE: ARCHITECTURE PLANNING 🎨🎨🎨 Focus: User profile data storage strategy Objective: Design efficient, scalable storage approach for user profiles Constraints: Must support fast queries, handle large media assets, ensure privacy Breaking down the problem: - Data structure and schema design - Storage technology selection - Privacy and access control - Scaling considerations - Performance optimization ... ``` ## 🔍 SELECTING THE RIGHT CREATIVE PHASE TYPE Choose the appropriate creative phase type based on the problem nature: ### 1. Algorithm Design For problems involving: - Data processing logic - Computational efficiency - Search, sort, or transformation operations - Optimization problems ### 2. UI/UX Design For problems involving: - User interfaces and experiences - Information presentation - Interaction patterns - Accessibility and usability - Visual and layout design ### 3. Architecture Planning For problems involving: - System structure and organization - Service boundaries and communication - Data storage and access patterns - Security and authentication - Scaling and deployment strategies ### 4. General Problem Solving For problems that don't fit neatly into the above categories: - Business logic design - Process workflows - Resource allocation - Configuration strategies ## 🔄 TRANSITIONING OUT OF CREATIVE PHASES When exiting a creative phase: 1. **Verify completion**: Ensure you've thoroughly analyzed the problem 2. **Perform verification**: Run through the creative phase verification checklist 3. **Summarize findings**: Create a comprehensive summary with verification confirmation 4. **Mark phase end**: Use the creative phase exit marker 5. **Update task tracking**: Document the creative phase output in tasks.md 6. **Return to normal processing**: Resume the regular workflow Example transition out of creative phase: ``` After systematic analysis and verification of all options against requirements... 🎨🎨🎨 EXITING CREATIVE PHASE - RETURNING TO TASK TRACKING 🎨🎨🎨 🔄 CREATIVE PHASE SUMMARY: - Completed: User profile data storage strategy - Key decisions: Hybrid approach using PostgreSQL for structured data with S3 for media assets - Next steps: 1. Implement database schema 2. Set up S3 bucket structure 3. Create data access layer - Verification: Solution verified against all performance, scaling, and privacy requirements 🔄 TASK UPDATE: Implement user profile system - In Progress - Updated in tasks.md ✓ - Creative work completed: Data storage architecture design - Implementation details added to activeContext.md ✓ Now I'll proceed with implementing the database schema as the first step... ``` ## 🔄 CREATIVE PHASE WITHIN IMPLEMENTATION You can enter a creative phase at any point during implementation when needed: ``` ### Command: Create Database Schema Purpose: Setting up the database structure for user profiles I need to carefully consider the schema design to ensure it meets all requirements... 🎨🎨🎨 ENTERING CREATIVE PHASE: DATABASE SCHEMA DESIGN 🎨🎨🎨 ... [Creative phase content] ... 🎨🎨🎨 EXITING CREATIVE PHASE - RETURNING TO IMPLEMENTATION 🎨🎨🎨 Now with the schema design complete, I'll implement it: ```bash [command to create schema] ``` Result: Schema created successfully ``` ## ✓ CREATIVE PHASE INITIATION CHECKLIST Before entering a creative phase, verify: - [ ] Problem requires systematic analysis of multiple options - [ ] Decisions have significant impact on implementation - [ ] Regular implementation flow isn't sufficient for proper analysis - [ ] Appropriate creative phase type selected - [ ] Clear focus, objective, and constraints identified Remember: Creative phases are tools for structured thinking in complex situations. Use them when needed, but don't overcomplicate simple tasks with unnecessary creative phases.