Idea Lab — deep analysis for raw ideas

Two modes for working a raw idea, framework, concept, or strategy (chat artifact, no file):

• Genius — forensic first-principles critique: understand it completely, then find the one critical flaw, stress-test every assumption, and reconstruct a sharper version.
• Alien — paradigm transcendence: shed human cognitive defaults, dissolve the frame, transplant structures from other domains, and surface what's beyond conventional analysis.

First: if an AGENTS.md file exists, read it for project context.

Pick the mode

If the trigger already implies a direction, go straight there — critique / stress-test / devil's-advocate / find-flaws → Genius; transcend / go-deeper / alien / escape-local-optima → Alien. If it's ambiguous ("explore this idea", "go deep on this"), ask:

AskUserQuestion:
  question: "Which direction for this idea?"
  header: "Mode"
  options:
    - label: "Genius — critique & sharpen"
      description: "Forensic first-principles review: stress-test assumptions, find the fatal flaw, reconstruct a tighter version."
    - label: "Alien — transcend & expand"
      description: "Break the paradigm: dissolve the frame, transplant structures from other domains, find what's beyond conventional analysis."
  multiSelect: false

Then load and follow the chosen mode's reference in full:

• Genius → read references/genius.md
• Alien → read references/alien.md

Run the two as a two-stage pipeline when warranted: Genius first (perfect within the paradigm), then Alien (transcend it).

When to Use

• Before committing to a major architectural or strategic decision
• When evaluating frameworks, strategies, or concepts
• When something "feels right" but hasn't been stress-tested
• As a devil's advocate for your own ideas
• When conventional analysis feels complete but insufficient, or you suspect the real leverage lives outside the current frame