beam-ai-team/deep-thinking

Deep thinking

One entry point for rigorous thinking: frame the problem, then choose stress-test, framework, or expert feedback, and synthesize.

Purpose

Hard problems benefit from (1) a clear frame — one-sentence problem, binding constraint, eigenquestion — and (2) a structured lens: multi-perspective stress-test, a mental model, or expert personas. This skill does both: it frames first, then runs the chosen path and synthesizes.

Use when: Messy context, important decision, or content you want to validate before shipping.

Time: 3–8 minutes depending on path.

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Workflow

Step 0: Frame (always)

Before any analysis, produce:

1. One-sentence problem — The core issue in a single sentence.
2. Binding constraint — The limiting factor that shapes what’s possible.
3. Eigenquestion — The question whose answer determines the answers to the other questions.

Output these clearly so the user (and the rest of the workflow) can stay aligned.

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Step 1: Choose path

Offer the user (or infer from their request):

• Stress-test — Multi-perspective critique (recipient POV, critic, devil’s advocate, first principles, risk). Use the ultrathink workflow: run the same five-perspective dialogue and synthesis as in the ultrathink skill. Load 01-skills/ultrathink/SKILL.md and follow its Step 2 and Step 3.
• Framework — Apply a structured model (pre-mortem, decision matrix, inversion, etc.). Run mental-models: uv run beam-next-mental-models --format brief, pick 1–2 models that fit the frame, load the model file from 00-system/mental-models/models/{category}/{slug}.md, and apply it.
• Expert feedback — Get persona-based review. Run expert-review: detect work type, pick 2–3 personas, load persona files from 00-system/expert-personas/, and produce verdict + strengths + gaps + one thing to change per persona.

If the user said "ultrathink" or "stress test", default to Stress-test. If they said "apply a framework" or "mental model", default to Framework. If they said "expert feedback" or "what would X think", default to Expert feedback. Otherwise offer the three options and let them pick.

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Step 2: Run the path

• Stress-test: Execute the ultrathink multi-perspective dialogue and synthesis (see ultrathink SKILL.md).
• Framework: Execute the chosen mental model’s process (questions, steps) and summarize.
• Expert feedback: Execute expert-review (personas, verdicts, recommendations).

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Step 3: Synthesize

After the path, produce a short synthesis:

• How the frame (eigenquestion, constraint) connects to the findings.
• Top 2–3 actionable takeaways.
• Optional: "Want to run another path? (e.g. stress-test after framework)"

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Triggers

• "deep think", "think deeply", "frame this", "what’s the real question", "eigenquestion"
• "ultrathink", "stress test this", "challenge this" → default to Stress-test
• "apply a framework", "mental model", "pre-mortem" → default to Framework
• "expert feedback", "what would [persona] think" → default to Expert feedback

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Relationship to other skills

• ultrathink — Implements the stress-test path; can be loaded directly for "ultrathink this" or invoked from deep-thinking.
• mental-models — Provides the framework path; use its scanner and model files.
• expert-review — Provides the expert path; use its persona selection and review format.

Deep-thinking is the umbrella; those three remain available for direct use when the user wants only one path.