cross-domain-thinking-toolbox
Apply 25 professional mental models to solve complex problems. Use when: (1) facing multi-faceted challenges that require diverse perspectives, (2) stuck in single-minded approaches, (3) need innovative solutions, (4) making major decisions with multiple stakeholders, (5) understanding complex human behavior, or (6) seeking to break cognitive biases and adopt alternative viewpoints.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/hexbee/hello-skills --skill cross-domain-thinking-toolbox- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads cross-domain-thinking-toolbox automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Cross-Domain Thinking Toolbox
Borrow thinking tools from 25 different professions to approach problems from fresh angles.
Quick Reference: The 25 Thinking Tools
| # | Profession | Core Question | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Artist | What makes this unique and interesting? | Creative blockers, innovation needs |
| 2 | Economist | How do people respond to incentives? | Behavior prediction, system design |
| 3 | Engineer | Can I model and calculate this? | Prediction, data-driven decisions |
| 4 | Entrepreneur | What works if I try many things? | Uncertainty, rapid experimentation |
| 5 | Doctor | What's the diagnosis from symptoms? | Root cause analysis, troubleshooting |
| 6 | Journalist | Have I verified from independent sources? | Information validation, research |
| 7 | Scientist | Does this withstand controlled testing? | Hypothesis validation, beliefs testing |
| 8 | Mathematician | Can I prove this rigorously? | Logic, error detection |
| 9 | Programmer | What patterns can I automate? | Process optimization, simplification |
| 10 | Architect | What will this look like at full scale? | Future visualization, planning |
| 11 | Salesperson | What do people really want beneath stated needs? | Understanding motivations, negotiation |
| 12 | Soldier | What procedure must I follow exactly? | Risk prevention, error avoidance |
| 13 | Chess Master | What happens next if I simulate this? | Strategic foresight, scenario planning |
| 14 | Designer | Does this intuitively suggest how to use it? | UX, communication design |
| 15 | Teacher | How do I build knowledge in a learner's mind? | Explanation, knowledge transfer |
| 16 | Anthropologist | Can I understand this group from inside? | Culture analysis, unfamiliar contexts |
| 17 | Psychologist | Does my model predict actual behavior? | Human behavior understanding |
| 18 | Critic | How can I build on others' work? | Analysis, synthesis, improvement |
| 19 | Philosopher | What happens when I push this idea to extremes? | Finding flaws, revealing principles |
| 20 | Accountant | What ratios reveal hidden truths? | Metrics analysis, efficiency |
| 21 | Politician | What will people believe about this? | Perception, communication strategy |
| 22 | Novelist | Does my story make coherent sense? | Narrative structure, communication |
| 23 | Actor | Can I actually feel the state I need? | Emotional management, presence |
| 24 | Plumber | What would I find by examining directly? | Hands-on investigation, debugging |
| 25 | Hacker | What's really happening underneath? | Understanding systems deeply |
Usage Patterns
Pattern 1: Problem Diagnosis
When user describes a problem:
- Identify the problem type
- Recommend 2-3 most relevant thinking tools
- Explain why each tool fits
- Provide guiding questions for application
Pattern 2: Multi-Angle Analysis
When user needs diverse perspectives:
- Pick 3-5 diverse tools for the problem
- Analyze from each perspective
- Synthesize insights
- Highlight trade-offs between approaches
Pattern 3: Perspective Shift
When user is stuck in one mode:
- Identify their current approach
- Suggest 2-3 contrasting tools
- Explain what each would reveal differently
- Encourage genuine exploration, not just acknowledgment
Pattern 4: Practical Application
When user wants to apply a specific tool:
- Explain the tool's core principle
- Provide concrete steps
- Give worked examples
- Note limitations and when not to use
Core Principles
- Don't give answers directly — guide thinking with questions
- Each tool has limits — no tool fits all situations
- Combine tools — powerful insights come from mixing perspectives
- Iterate — apply tools, reflect, refine
- Stay practical — focus on actionable insights
Common Problem Types and Tool Recommendations
| Problem Type | Recommended Tools |
|---|---|
| Need creativity/novelty | Artist, Entrepreneur, Designer |
| Understanding behavior | Economist, Psychologist, Salesperson |
| Making predictions | Engineer, Chess Master, Scientist |
| Debugging issues | Doctor, Plumber, Engineer |
| Improving processes | Programmer, Accountant, Architect |
| Communication challenges | Novelist, Teacher, Designer |
| Decision under uncertainty | Entrepreneur, Scientist, Politician |
| Understanding people | Anthropologist, Psychologist, Actor |
| Finding hidden assumptions | Philosopher, Mathematician, Critic |
| Risk management | Soldier, Accountant, Engineer |
When to Ask Follow-Up Questions
Before applying thinking tools, clarify:
- What type of problem is this? (creative, analytical, interpersonal, etc.)
- What approaches have already been tried?
- What outcome does the user want?
- Are there constraints or stakeholders involved?
FAQ
What does the cross-domain-thinking-toolbox skill do?
Apply 25 professional mental models to solve complex problems. Use when: (1) facing multi-faceted challenges that require diverse perspectives, (2) stuck in single-minded approaches, (3) need innovative solutions, (4) making major decisions with multiple stakeholders, (5) understanding complex human behavior, or (6) seeking to break cognitive biases and adopt alternative viewpoints.
How do I install cross-domain-thinking-toolbox?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/hexbee/hello-skills --skill cross-domain-thinking-toolbox in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/cross-domain-thinking-toolbox/ (personal) or .claude/skills/cross-domain-thinking-toolbox/ (project).
Which AI agents can use cross-domain-thinking-toolbox?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is cross-domain-thinking-toolbox safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains cross-domain-thinking-toolbox?
It is published by hexbee in hexbee/hello-skills. It has 90 recorded installs.
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