# Refine Raw Ideas

Turns a vague idea into a sharp concept through divergent and convergent thinking.

- Repository: https://github.com/addyosmani/agent-skills (112533 stars)
- Category: Business
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: yes, review before use

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add addyosmani/agent-skills --skill idea-refine -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add addyosmani/agent-skills --skill idea-refine -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add addyosmani/agent-skills --skill idea-refine -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add addyosmani/agent-skills --skill idea-refine -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add addyosmani/agent-skills`

## Description

Refines raw ideas into sharp, actionable concepts through structured divergent and convergent thinking. Use when an idea is still vague, when you need to stress-test assumptions before committing to a plan, or when you want to expand options before converging on one. Triggers on "ideate", "refine this idea", or "stress-test my plan".

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Idea Refine

## Overview

Refines raw ideas into sharp, actionable concepts worth building through structured divergent and convergent thinking.

## When to Use

- Use when an idea is still vague and needs shaping before it can become a plan
- Use when you need to stress-test assumptions before committing to a direction
- Use when you want to expand options before converging on one
- Trigger phrases: "Help me refine this idea", "Ideate on [concept]", "Stress-test my plan"
- Not for: a user who is unsure what they want at all (use `interview-me`), or a direction already chosen that needs a spec (use `spec-driven-development`)

## How It Works

1.  **Understand & Expand (Divergent):** Restate the idea, ask sharpening questions, and generate variations.
2.  **Evaluate & Converge:** Cluster ideas, stress-test them, and surface hidden assumptions.
3.  **Sharpen & Ship:** Produce a concrete markdown one-pager moving work forward.

## Usage

This skill is primarily an interactive dialogue. Invoke it with an idea, and the agent will guide you through the process.

```bash
# Optional. Run from the project root so this creates ./docs/ideas.
# <skill-dir> is the directory that contains this SKILL.md
# (for example .agents/skills/idea-refine or .cursor/skills/idea-refine).
bash <skill-dir>/scripts/idea-refine.sh
```

## Output

The final output is a markdown one-pager saved to `docs/ideas/[idea-name].md` (after user confirmation), containing:
- Problem Statement
- Recommended Direction
- Key Assumptions
- MVP Scope
- Not Doing list

## Detailed Instructions

You are an ideation partner. Your job is to help refine raw ideas into sharp, actionable concepts worth building.

### Philosophy

The rest: https://github.com/addyosmani/agent-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/idea-refine/SKILL.md