lateral-thinking — скилл

---
name: lateral
description: Lateral thinking toolkit router — when you're stuck, going in circles, need fresh ideas, or standard brainstorming keeps producing predictable results, this diagnoses the symptom and applies the right technique from the toolkit (random-stimulus, provocation, inversion, concept-fan, analogy, scamper, six-hats, worst-idea). Triggers include "lateral thinking", "I'm stuck on a creative problem", "we're going in circles", "need fresh ideas", "try a different angle", "break out of the box", "ideas all feel the same", "predictable brainstorm". Do NOT use for analytical work like debugging, code review, or implementation tasks.
---

# Lateral

## What this does

Being stuck has shapes. Ideas that all feel the same is a different problem from a constraint that feels unbreakable, which is different again from suspecting you are solving the wrong problem. Each shape has a technique that fits it.

This skill diagnoses the symptom, picks exactly one technique, and runs it inline. It is a router, not a technique of its own.

## Decision table

| Symptom | Technique |
|---|---|
| Ideas all feel the same; brainstorm output is predictable | `random-stimulus` |
| A constraint or rule feels unbreakable | `provocation` |
| Requirements assume things nobody has questioned | `inversion` |
| We might be solving the wrong problem | `concept-fan` |
| The solution works but feels derivative | `analogy` |
| We have one idea and need variations | `scamper` |
| A decision is being made too fast / everyone agrees | `six-hats` |
| Everything feels timid, safe, cautious | `worst-idea` |

## Routing procedure

1. **Diagnose.** Match the user's symptom to the table. If the symptom is unclear, ask exactly one focused question — do not interrogate.
2. **Pick exactly one technique.** Never route to a second technique in the same pass. If another looks promising, offer it as a next move once the first has finished.