invention-structuring — Claude Code skill: turn a rough idea into
Turns a raw invention idea into a formal disclosure: technical problem, solution, feature layers and a claim plan. Useful when you have a sketch, not a structure.
npx skills add wanshuiyin/Auto-claude-code-research-in-sleep --skill invention-structuring -a claude-codeWhat invention-structuring does
The skill walks your idea through a problem-solution-advantage frame. The technical problem comes from the deficiencies of prior art, the solution is described by mechanism rather than result, and each feature is tagged as known or inventive.
Then it splits the invention into three layers: the core concept that sets the scope of the independent claim, supporting features for dependent claims, and optional details for embodiments. From there it picks claim categories — method, system, product, computer-readable medium — and drafts a drawing plan tied to claim elements.
Before writing anything out, it sends the breakdown to an external model through mcp__codex__codex at high reasoning effort. That means a configured codex MCP server is required, or the validation step fails. Output lands in patent/INVENTION_DISCLOSURE.md; on input the skill reads patent/INVENTION_BRIEF.md, patent/PRIOR_ART_REPORT.md and patent/NOVELTY_ASSESSMENT.md when they exist.
What it helps with
- state a technical problem instead of a commercial one
- separate the core inventive concept from secondary features
- pick claim categories that fit the idea
- plan figures tied to claim elements
- get an outside model to check the breakdown before filing
Example prompts for the agent
- Structure this invention: a caching method based on a local index
- Break the idea in
patent/INVENTION_BRIEF.mdinto core, supporting and optional features - Draft the drawing plan and claim categories for this idea
How to install invention-structuring
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add wanshuiyin/Auto-claude-code-research-in-sleep --skill invention-structuring -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/invention-structuring/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/invention-structuring/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add wanshuiyin/Auto-claude-code-research-in-sleep --skill invention-structuring -a codex2Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/invention-structuring/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add wanshuiyin/Auto-claude-code-research-in-sleep --skill invention-structuring -a cursor2Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/invention-structuring/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
1GitHub CLI
gh skill install wanshuiyin/Auto-claude-code-research-in-sleep invention-structuring2Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/invention-structuring/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add wanshuiyin/Auto-claude-code-research-in-sleep --skill invention-structuring -a gemini-cli2Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/wanshuiyin/Auto-claude-code-research-in-sleep --path skills/invention-structuringManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/invention-structuring/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add wanshuiyin/Auto-claude-code-research-in-sleep --skill invention-structuring -a opencodeClaude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to install skills in Claude Code: five ways
Questions about invention-structuring
How do I install invention-structuring in Claude?
Run npx skills add wanshuiyin/Auto-claude-code-research-in-sleep --skill invention-structuring -a claude-code. The skill lands in ~/.claude/skills/invention-structuring/SKILL.md.
What does invention-structuring do?
It builds a formal invention disclosure from a rough idea: technical problem, technical solution, advantages, feature decomposition, claim categories and a drawing plan. The result is written to patent/INVENTION_DISCLOSURE.md.
What does the skill need to run?
The validation step needs a configured codex MCP server, since the breakdown goes to an external model via mcp__codex__codex. If patent/INVENTION_BRIEF.md, patent/PRIOR_ART_REPORT.md or patent/NOVELTY_ASSESSMENT.md exist in the project, the skill picks them up.
Source text
SKILL.md · MIT
---
name: invention-structuring
description: "Structure a raw invention idea into a formal invention disclosure. Use when user says \"构建发明\", \"structure invention\", \"发明构建\", \"invention disclosure\", or wants to formalize a rough idea into a patent-ready structure."
argument-hint: "[invention-description-or-brief-path]"
allowed-tools: Bash(*), Read, Write, Edit, Grep, Glob, mcp__codex__codex, mcp__antigravity__antigravity, mcp__antigravity__antigravity-reply, mcp__grok__grok, mcp__grok__grok-reply, mcp__claude-review__review, mcp__claude-review__review_reply, mcp__claude-review__review_start, mcp__claude-review__review_reply_start, mcp__claude-review__review_status
---
# Invention Structuring
> **Before each reviewer slot**, follow [Selectable Reviewers](../shared-references/reviewer-backends.md):
> resolve invocation → `.aris/reviewer.json` → Claude Code default (Codex MCP)
> with `reviewer_route.py` through the canonical helper resolver, preserving this
> slot's tier, fresh contexts, source/image inputs and deterministic gates.
> Codex examples/pins below apply only to `backend=codex`; other routes use their
> own first-call/reply contract. Save the route and actual returned identity;
> unavailable selections are `REVIEW_UNAVAILABLE`. Classify acceptance from actual
> families/completion/scope. Forward invocation reviewer/model/effort overrides
> to reviewer-bearing children. Generation workers are unchanged.
Structure the invention into a formal disclosure based on: **$ARGUMENTS**
Adapted from the refinement pattern in `/research-refine` for patent invention decomposition.
## Constants
- `REVIEWER_MODEL = gpt-6-astra` — External reviewer for invention decomposition validation
- `MAX_REFINEMENT_ROUNDS = 3` — Maximum structuring iterations
## Inputs
1. Invention description from `$ARGUMENTS`
2. `patent/INVENTION_BRIEF.md` if exists
3. `patent/PRIOR_ART_REPORT.md` — prior art landscape
4. `patent/NOVELTY_ASSESSMENT.md` — novelty analysis
## Shared References
Load `../shared-references/patent-writing-principles.md` for the Problem-Solution-Advantage framework and claimable subject matter guidelines.
## Workflow
### Step 1: Problem-Solution-Advantage Framework
Structure the invention using the universal patent framework:
**Technical Problem (要解决的技术问题)**:
- Derived from prior art deficiencies identified in NOVELTY_ASSESSMENT.md
- Must be a specific, technical problem (not a commercial or social problem)
- Statement format: "The technical problem to be solved is how to [specific technical objective] given [specific technical constraint]."
**Technical Solution (技术方案)**:
- The invention's specific technical contribution
- Focus on the mechanism, not the result
- Must be described at a level that matches the intended claim scope
- Identify which features are known vs. inventive
**Advantages (有益效果)**:
- Measurable or quantifiable improvements over prior art
- Must result from the inventive features, not just good engineering
- Include specific technical effects if known (e.g., "reduces processing time by 40%")
### Step 2: Invention Decomposition
Break the invention into three layers:
**Core Inventive Concept (核心发明构思)**:
- The minimal set of features that make the invention patentable
- This maps to the independent claim scope
- Test: if you remove this feature, the invention is no longer novel
**Supporting Features (支撑性特征)**:
- Features that make the invention work well in practice
- These become dependent claim material
- They narrow the scope but add practical value
**Optional Features (可选特征)**:
- Implementation details, preferred parameters, alternatives
- These become embodiment material
- They support broader claim interpretation
### Step 3: Claimable Subject Matter Identification
For the core inventive concept, determine what categories of claims to draft:
| Category | Applicability | Content |
|----------|-------------|---------|
| Method/process | If invention involves steps | Process flow, algorithm, workflow |
| System/apparatus | If invention involves components | Hardware structure, modules, connections |
| Product | If invention is a physical device | Shape, structure, composition |
| Computer-readable medium | If software invention (US) | Stored instructions, non-transitory medium |
| Product-by-process | If structure is hard to define | Product defined by how it is made |
### Step 4: Drawing Plan
Plan what figures are needed to support the claims and specification:
| Figure | Type | Shows | Supports Claim Elements |
|--------|------|-------|------------------------|
| FIG. 1 | Block diagram | System architecture | System claim components |
| FIG. 2 | Flowchart | Method steps | Method claim steps |
| FIG. 3 | Sequence diagram | Interaction between components | Specific implementation details |
If user has provided figures, reference them here. If figures are missing, note what is needed.
### Step 5: Dependency Mapping
Map feature dependencies to plan the claim hierarchy:
```
Independent Claim 1 (method, broadest scope)
├── Core inventive feature A
├── Core inventive feature B
└── Known feature C (for context)
Dependent Claim 2 → narrows feature A with specific implementation
Dependent Claim 3 → narrows feature B with specific parameters
Dependent Claim 4 → depends on 2, adds optional feature D
Dependent Claim 5 → alternative implementation of feature A
```
### Step 6: Cross-Model Validation
Call `REVIEWER_MODEL` via `mcp__codex__codex` with xhigh reasoning:
> Resolve this reviewer slot first; the following is the `backend=codex` example.
```
mcp__codex__codex:
model: gpt-6-astra
config: {"model_reasoning_effort": "xhigh"}
prompt: |
You are a patent attorney reviewing an invention disclosure.
Evaluate the structuring choices:
INVENTION: [Problem-Solution-Advantage summary]
DECOMPOSITION: [Core/Supporting/Optional features]
CLAIM PLAN: [intended claim categories and hierarchy]
Please assess:
1. Is the Problem-Solution-Advantage framework correctly applied?
2. Is the core inventive concept correctly identified? Are there features that should be core but are listed as supporting (or vice versa)?
3. Are the planned claim categories sufficient to protect the invention?
4. Is the drawing plan adequate for enablement?
5. Are there any claimable aspects being missed?
```
### Step 7: Output
Write `patent/INVENTION_DISCLOSURE.md`:
```markdown
## Invention Disclosure
### Title
[invention title]
### Technical Problem
[formal problem statement]
### Technical Solution
[formal solution description]
### Advantages
[measurable advantages]
### Feature Decomposition
#### Core Inventive Concept
[features that define independent claim scope]
#### Supporting Features
[features for dependent claims]
#### Optional Features
[features for embodiments]
### Claimable Subject Matter
[method, system, product, medium claims planned]
### Drawing Plan
[figures needed, what each shows]
### Dependency Map
[claim hierarchy plan]
### Inventor Information
[names, contributions]
### Target Jurisdiction
[CN/US/EP/ALL]
```
## Key Rules
- The Problem must come from prior art deficiencies, not from commercial needs.
- The Solution must describe the technical mechanism, not just the result.
- The core inventive concept must be the minimum set of features for patentability.
- Supporting features should be independently valuable -- each should provide a meaningful technical benefit even if other supporting features are removed.
- Never invent embodiments that do not correspond to the actual invention or user-provided materials.
- If the selected reviewer is unavailable, record `REVIEW_UNAVAILABLE`; continue only as an explicitly unreviewed draft, without switching providers.
© wanshuiyin · MIT · wanshuiyin/Auto-claude-code-research-in-sleep