Design Solution
Converge from multiple options to a single recommended approach.
Position in Workflow
Step 3 of development workflow:
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/research
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Understand problem and constraints
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/brainstorm-solutions
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Explore solution space
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/design-solution
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Converge on a single solution (THIS)
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Plan, code, review, ship
Core Principle
Decide deliberately. Evaluate trade-offs, align to constraints, and pick the best fit.
Input
Default: Use the options from the current conversation.
If argument provided:
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File path: Read the file for brainstorming output
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GitHub issue number/URL: Fetch with scripts/gh_issue_phase.sh get-issue $ARG
Workflow
- Reconfirm Context
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Restate the problem, constraints, and success criteria.
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Identify any missing information that blocks a decision.
- Evaluate Options
For each option, assess:
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Pros: Benefits and what it enables
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Cons: Risks and complexity
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Codebase fit: Alignment with existing patterns
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Effort: Low/Medium/High
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Reversibility: Easy/Moderate/Hard to change later
- Decide
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Rank options against success criteria.
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Select a recommended option.
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State conditions that would change the decision.
- Capture Open Questions
List unknowns that must be resolved before planning.
Output Format
Solution Decision
Context Summary
[Brief restatement of problem and key constraints]
Decision Criteria
[What matters most: performance, time, simplicity, extensibility, etc.]
Option Evaluation
Option 1: [Name] - Recommended
[Description]
Pros:
- ...
Cons:
- ...
Codebase fit: [How it aligns with existing patterns] Effort: [Low/Medium/High] Reversibility: [Easy/Moderate/Hard]
Option 2: [Name]
[Same structure]
Option 3: [Name]
[Same structure]
Recommendation
[Why the recommended option wins, and when you would choose differently]
Open Questions
[Anything that could change the recommendation]
Next Step
Ready to plan implementation. Enter Plan Mode or run /plan.
GitHub Issue Tracking
If a GitHub issue was provided or is available from prior phases:
Post design decision as a phase comment and set the label:
echo "$DESIGN_SUMMARY" | scripts/gh_issue_phase.sh post-phase $ISSUE design scripts/gh_issue_phase.sh set-label $ISSUE phase:design
Pass the issue number to the next skill (e.g., /make-plan #42 ).
Common Mistakes
Mistake Fix
Skipping decision criteria State criteria before evaluating
Over-weighting novelty Prefer codebase fit and simplicity
Ignoring reversibility Consider how hard it is to change later
Decision without evidence Call out unknowns explicitly
What NOT to Do
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Do NOT re-brainstorm options
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Do NOT proceed to planning without a chosen option
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Do NOT hide assumptions or uncertainties
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Do NOT ignore codebase constraints