problem-solving
Systematic problem-solving techniques for stuck-ness. Techniques: simplification cascade (complexity spirals), collision-zone thinking (innovation blocks), meta-pattern recognition (recurring issues), inversion exercise (assumption constraints), scale game (uncertainty). Actions: simplify, analyze, recognize patterns, invert assumptions, scale thinking. Keywords: problem solving, complexity spiral, innovation block, stuck, simplification, meta-pattern, assumption inversion, scale uncertainty, breakthrough thinking, root cause, systematic analysis, Microsoft Amplifier, debugging approach, creative solution. Use when: complexity spiraling, hitting innovation blocks, seeing recurring patterns, constrained by assumptions, uncertain about scale, generally stuck on problems.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/samhvw8/dotfiles --skill problem-solving- 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 problem-solving 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.
Problem-Solving Techniques
Systematic approaches for different types of stuck-ness. Each technique targets specific problem patterns.
When to Use
Apply when encountering:
- Complexity spiraling - Multiple implementations, growing special cases, excessive branching
- Innovation blocks - Conventional solutions inadequate, need breakthrough thinking
- Recurring patterns - Same issue across domains, reinventing solutions
- Assumption constraints - Forced into "only way", can't question premise
- Scale uncertainty - Production readiness unclear, edge cases unknown
- General stuck-ness - Unsure which technique applies
Quick Dispatch
Match symptom to technique:
| Stuck Symptom | Technique | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Same thing implemented 5+ ways, growing special cases | Simplification Cascades | references/simplification-cascades.md |
| Conventional solutions inadequate, need breakthrough | Collision-Zone Thinking | references/collision-zone-thinking.md |
| Same issue in different places, reinventing wheels | Meta-Pattern Recognition | references/meta-pattern-recognition.md |
| Solution feels forced, "must be done this way" | Inversion Exercise | references/inversion-exercise.md |
| Will this work at production? Edge cases unclear? | Scale Game | references/scale-game.md |
| Unsure which technique to use | When Stuck | references/when-stuck.md |
Core Techniques
1. Simplification Cascades
Find one insight eliminating multiple components. "If this is true, we don't need X, Y, Z."
Key insight: Everything is a special case of one general pattern.
Red flag: "Just need to add one more case..." (repeating forever)
2. Collision-Zone Thinking
Force unrelated concepts together to discover emergent properties. "What if we treated X like Y?"
Key insight: Revolutionary ideas from deliberate metaphor-mixing.
Red flag: "I've tried everything in this domain"
3. Meta-Pattern Recognition
Spot patterns appearing in 3+ domains to find universal principles.
Key insight: Patterns in how patterns emerge reveal reusable abstractions.
Red flag: "This problem is unique" (probably not)
4. Inversion Exercise
Flip core assumptions to reveal hidden constraints. "What if the opposite were true?"
Key insight: Valid inversions reveal context-dependence of "rules."
Red flag: "There's only one way to do this"
5. Scale Game
Test at extremes (1000x bigger/smaller, instant/year-long) to expose fundamental truths.
Key insight: What works at one scale fails at another.
Red flag: "Should scale fine" (without testing)
Application Process
- Identify stuck-type - Match symptom to technique above
- Load detailed reference - Read specific technique from
references/ - Apply systematically - Follow technique's process
- Document insights - Record what worked/failed
- Combine if needed - Some problems need multiple techniques
Combining Techniques
Powerful combinations:
- Simplification + Meta-pattern - Find pattern, then simplify all instances
- Collision + Inversion - Force metaphor, then invert its assumptions
- Scale + Simplification - Extremes reveal what to eliminate
- Meta-pattern + Scale - Universal patterns tested at extremes
References
Load detailed guides as needed:
references/when-stuck.md- Dispatch flowchart and decision treereferences/simplification-cascades.md- Cascade detection and extractionreferences/collision-zone-thinking.md- Metaphor collision processreferences/meta-pattern-recognition.md- Pattern abstraction techniquesreferences/inversion-exercise.md- Assumption flipping methodologyreferences/scale-game.md- Extreme testing proceduresreferences/attribution.md- Source and adaptation notes
FAQ
What does the problem-solving skill do?
Systematic problem-solving techniques for stuck-ness. Techniques: simplification cascade (complexity spirals), collision-zone thinking (innovation blocks), meta-pattern recognition (recurring issues), inversion exercise (assumption constraints), scale game (uncertainty). Actions: simplify, analyze, recognize patterns, invert assumptions, scale thinking. Keywords: problem solving, complexity spiral, innovation block, stuck, simplification, meta-pattern, assumption inversion, scale uncertainty, breakthrough thinking, root cause, systematic analysis, Microsoft Amplifier, debugging approach, creative solution. Use when: complexity spiraling, hitting innovation blocks, seeing recurring patterns, constrained by assumptions, uncertain about scale, generally stuck on problems.
How do I install problem-solving?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/samhvw8/dotfiles --skill problem-solving 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/problem-solving/ (personal) or .claude/skills/problem-solving/ (project).
Which AI agents can use problem-solving?
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 problem-solving 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 problem-solving?
It is published by samhvw8 in samhvw8/dotfiles. It has 45 recorded installs.
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