# scientific-brainstorming

Turns Claude Code into a research partner for scientific ideation. Useful when formulating novel hypotheses or spotting cross-disciplinary links.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code · 345 installs
- Author: davila7
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/skills/scientific/scientific-brainstorming
- Updated: 2026-10-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/scientific-brainstorming

## What it does

The skill organizes research discussions into five sequential stages. Claude Code first questions current assumptions and constraints to grasp the core problem. Next, it switches to divergent ideation by borrowing concepts across scientific fields, altering time scales, and removing artificial barriers. It then links separate thoughts into patterns before helping design concrete pilot tests.

The interaction style shifts based on progress. When concepts feel too conservative, the assistant intentionally challenges them or suggests radical scenarios. If ideation stalls, it breaks the issue down into smaller questions. Dialogue remains conversational throughout.

Deeper brainstorming techniques rely on the `references/brainstorming_methods.md` file mentioned in the instructions. Without this reference file in your project, the assistant stays confined to the core stages.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **claude-code-templates**
```bash
npx claude-code-templates@latest --skill scientific/scientific-brainstorming
```

2. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add davila7/claude-code-templates --skill scientific-brainstorming -a claude-code
```

3. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/scientific-brainstorming/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/scientific-brainstorming/

### Codex

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/scientific-brainstorming/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/scientific-brainstorming/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install davila7/claude-code-templates scientific-brainstorming
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/scientific-brainstorming/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates --path cli-tool/components/skills/scientific/scientific-brainstorming
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/scientific-brainstorming/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/skills/scientific/scientific-brainstorming

## When to use it
- formulate testable hypotheses for early-stage research
- discover relevant analogies from adjacent scientific domains
- challenge default assumptions inside an existing theoretical framework
- design initial pilot experiments to test wild ideas
- break down a stubborn experimental design block into smaller steps

## Example prompts
- Help me brainstorm hypotheses linking principles from biological networks to urban traffic modeling.
- Let's review the implicit assumptions in our crystallization framework and design a small pilot experiment.
- I am stuck on this sensor calibration setup, suggest cross-domain analogies to approach it differently.

## Similar
- [anysearch](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/anysearch.md) — skill · 38500 installs
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- [nature-citation](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/nature-citation.md) — skill · 15600 installs

## Other versions with the same name
- [scientific-brainstorming · k-dense-ai](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/k-dense-ai-scientific-brainstorming.md) — 2300 installs

From the same set: [davila7/claude-code-templates](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/davila7/claude-code-templates.md) — 804 cards

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md