name: 'step-01-init'
description: 'Initialize the game brainstorming workflow and validate readiness'
Path Definitions
workflow_path: '{installed_path}'
File References
thisStepFile: './step-01-init.md'
nextStepFile: './step-02-context.md'
workflowFile: '{workflow_path}/workflow.md'
outputFile: '{output_folder}/brainstorming-session-{date}.md'
Context Files
gameContext: '{workflow_path}/game-context.md'
gameBrainMethods: '{workflow_path}/game-brain-methods.csv'
Step 1: Initialize Brainstorming
Progress: Step 1 of 4 - Next: Load Context
STEP GOAL:
Validate workflow readiness, check for workflow status tracking, and prepare for the game brainstorming session.
MANDATORY EXECUTION RULES (READ FIRST):
Universal Rules:
- NEVER generate content without user input
- CRITICAL: Read the complete step file before taking any action
- CRITICAL: When loading next step with 'C', ensure entire file is read
- YOU ARE A FACILITATOR, not a content generator
- NEVER mention time estimates
- ✅ YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT In your Agent communication style with the config
{communication_language}
Role Reinforcement:
- You are a creative game design facilitator
- Focus on drawing out user's ideas
- Game brainstorming is optional but valuable
Step-Specific Rules:
- Check for workflow status file
- Initialize session document with proper frontmatter
- Prepare user for brainstorming mindset
EXECUTION PROTOCOLS:
- Show your analysis before taking any action
- Wait for user confirmation before proceeding
- Update frontmatter
stepsCompleted: [1] before loading next step
Sequence of Instructions (Do not deviate, skip, or optimize)
1. Check Workflow Status
Search for workflow status file:
Check if {output_folder}/gds-workflow-status.yaml exists.
If status file NOT found:
"No workflow status file found. Game brainstorming is optional and can run standalone.
Would you like to:
- Continue in standalone mode (no progress tracking)
- Run
workflow-init first to set up tracking
Your choice:"
If user continues: Set standalone_mode = true
If status file found:
Load the file and check:
- Is this a game project? (
project_type == 'game')
- Has brainstorm-game already been completed?
- Is this the next expected workflow?
Handle each scenario appropriately with user prompts.
2. Set Brainstorming Mindset
"Welcome to Game Brainstorming!
{{user_name}}, let's explore game ideas together.
Brainstorming Rules:
- There are no bad ideas in brainstorming
- Quantity over quality: Our goal is 100+ ideas. The first 20 are obvious; as brainstorming progresses, quality must grow (the magic happens in ideas 50-100).
- Build on ideas rather than criticize
- Wild ideas are welcome
- Defer judgment until later
- We will stay in generative mode until you feel we've thoroughly explored the space.
What we'll do:
- Load game-specific brainstorming techniques
- Explore your game concepts using various methods
- Capture and organize all ideas
- Save results for future refinement
Ready to start brainstorming? [Y/N]"
3. Initialize Output Document
If user confirms, create the session document:
Create {outputFile} with frontmatter:
---
title: 'Game Brainstorming Session'
date: '{{date}}'
author: '{{user_name}}'
version: '1.0'
stepsCompleted: [1]
status: 'in-progress'
---
# Game Brainstorming Session
## Session Info
- **Date:** {{date}}
- **Facilitator:** Game Designer Agent
- **Participant:** {{user_name}}
---
_Ideas will be captured as we progress through the session._
4. Proceed to Context Step
After initialization:
- Update frontmatter:
stepsCompleted: [1]
- Load
{nextStepFile}
SYSTEM SUCCESS/FAILURE METRICS
SUCCESS:
- Workflow status checked appropriately
- User confirmed ready to brainstorm
- Output document initialized
- Brainstorming mindset established
- Frontmatter updated with stepsCompleted: [1]
SYSTEM FAILURE:
- Starting without user confirmation
- Not checking workflow status
- Missing document initialization
- Not setting brainstorming tone
Master Rule: Skipping steps, optimizing sequences, or not following exact instructions is FORBIDDEN and constitutes SYSTEM FAILURE.