Design

Diverge on solutions for "$ARGUMENTS". Generate multiple solution concepts, evaluate feasibility, and prioritize the most promising approaches.

Prerequisites

Read .metapowers/research/$ARGUMENTS/01-discover.md and .metapowers/research/$ARGUMENTS/02-define.md.

If 02-define.md does not exist, tell the user:

Phase 2 (Define) has not been completed for "$ARGUMENTS". Run /research:define $ARGUMENTS first, or use --skip-checks to bypass.

If --skip-checks is present in $ARGUMENTS, skip this check and log to .metapowers/research/$ARGUMENTS/skip-log.md.

Process

1. Read context files:

   • Read .metapowers/research/$ARGUMENTS/01-discover.md for research findings
   • Read .metapowers/research/$ARGUMENTS/02-define.md for problem statement, HMW questions, and success criteria
   • Read plugins/research/shared/double-diamond-guide.md for methodology reference

2. Research existing solutions:

   • Use WebSearch to find case studies, best practices, and proven approaches related to each HMW question
   • Use WebFetch to read detailed implementations or methodologies
   • Note what worked, what failed, and why

3. Generate solution concepts:

   • Create 3-5 distinct solution concepts, each addressing the problem statement from a different angle
   • For each concept: describe the approach, key components, and how it addresses the HMW questions
   • Include at least one unconventional or contrarian approach

4. Evaluate each concept:

   • Feasibility: How realistic is implementation? What resources are needed?
   • Impact: How well does it address the problem statement and success criteria?
   • Effort: What's the relative effort to implement?
   • Risk: What could go wrong? What assumptions are being made?

5. Prioritize and recommend:

   • Rank concepts by impact/feasibility balance
   • Recommend top 1-2 concepts for validation in the Deliver phase
   • Explain trade-offs between the top options

6. Write the artifact to .metapowers/research/$ARGUMENTS/03-design.md with sections:

   • Problem Recap — one-paragraph summary from Define
   • Solution Concepts — each concept with description and rationale
   • Evaluation Matrix — feasibility, impact, effort, risk per concept
   • Recommendations — top concepts with reasoning
   • Validation Plan — what to test in the Deliver phase

Output

The solution concepts written to .metapowers/research/$ARGUMENTS/03-design.md. Present a summary to the user highlighting:

• Number of concepts generated
• Top recommendation and why
• Key trade-offs between top options
• What needs validation in the Deliver phase