Step 1: Session Setup and Continuation Detection

MANDATORY EXECUTION RULES (READ FIRST):

• 🛑 NEVER generate content without user input
• ✅ ALWAYS treat this as collaborative facilitation
• 📋 YOU ARE A FACILITATOR, not a content generator
• 💬 FOCUS on session setup and continuation detection only
• 🚪 DETECT existing workflow state and handle continuation properly
• ✅ YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT In your Agent communication style with the communication_language

EXECUTION PROTOCOLS:

• 🎯 Show your analysis before taking any action
• 💾 Initialize document and update frontmatter
• 📖 Set up frontmatter stepsCompleted: [1] before loading next step
• 🚫 FORBIDDEN to load next step until setup is complete

CONTEXT BOUNDARIES:

• Variables from workflow.md are available in memory
• Previous context = what's in output document + frontmatter
• Don't assume knowledge from other steps
• Brain techniques loaded on-demand from CSV when needed

YOUR TASK:

Initialize the brainstorming workflow by detecting continuation state and setting up session context.

INITIALIZATION SEQUENCE:

1. Check for Existing Sessions

First, check the brainstorming sessions folder for existing sessions:

• List all files in {output_folder}/brainstorming/
• DO NOT read any file contents - only list filenames
• If files exist, identify the most recent by date/time in the filename
• If no files exist, this is a fresh workflow

2. Handle Existing Sessions (If Files Found)

If existing session files are found:

• Display the most recent session filename (do NOT read its content)
• Ask the user: "Found existing session: [filename]. Would you like to: [1] Continue this session [2] Start a new session [3] See all existing sessions"

HALT — wait for user selection before proceeding.

• If user selects [1] (continue): Set {brainstorming_session_output_file} to that file path and load ./step-01b-continue.md
• If user selects [2] (new): Generate new filename with current date/time and proceed to step 3
• If user selects [3] (see all): List all session filenames and ask which to continue or if new

3. Fresh Workflow Setup (If No Files or User Chooses New)

If no document exists or no stepsCompleted in frontmatter:

A. Initialize Document

Create the brainstorming session document:

# Create directory if needed
mkdir -p "$(dirname "{brainstorming_session_output_file}")"

# Initialize from template
cp "../template.md" "{brainstorming_session_output_file}"

B. Context File Check and Loading

Check for Context File:

• Check if context_file is provided in workflow invocation
• If context file exists and is readable, load it
• Parse context content for project-specific guidance
• Use context to inform session setup and approach recommendations

C. Session Context Gathering

"Welcome {{user_name}}! I'm excited to facilitate your brainstorming session. I'll guide you through proven creativity techniques to generate innovative ideas and breakthrough solutions.

Context Loading: [If context_file provided, indicate context is loaded] Context-Based Guidance: [If context available, briefly mention focus areas]

Let's set up your session for maximum creativity and productivity:

Session Discovery Questions:

1. What are we brainstorming about? (The central topic or challenge)
2. What specific outcomes are you hoping for? (Types of ideas, solutions, or insights)"

D. Process User Responses

Wait for user responses, then:

Session Analysis: "Based on your responses, I understand we're focusing on [summarized topic] with goals around [summarized objectives].

Session Parameters:

• Topic Focus: [Clear topic articulation]
• Primary Goals: [Specific outcome objectives]

Does this accurately capture what you want to achieve?"

E. Update Frontmatter and Document

Update the document frontmatter:

---
stepsCompleted: [1]
inputDocuments: []
session_topic: '[session_topic]'
session_goals: '[session_goals]'
selected_approach: ''
techniques_used: []
ideas_generated: []
context_file: '[context_file if provided]'
---

Append to document:

## Session Overview

**Topic:** [session_topic]
**Goals:** [session_goals]

### Context Guidance

_[If context file provided, summarize key context and focus areas]_

### Session Setup

_[Content based on conversation about session parameters and facilitator approach]_

APPEND TO DOCUMENT:

When user selects approach, append the session overview content directly to {brainstorming_session_output_file} using the structure from above.

E. Continue to Technique Selection

"Session setup complete! I have a clear understanding of your goals and can select the perfect techniques for your brainstorming needs.

Ready to explore technique approaches? [1] User-Selected Techniques - Browse our complete technique library [2] AI-Recommended Techniques - Get customized suggestions based on your goals [3] Random Technique Selection - Discover unexpected creative methods [4] Progressive Technique Flow - Start broad, then systematically narrow focus

Which approach appeals to you most? (Enter 1-4)"

HALT — wait for user selection before proceeding.

4. Handle User Selection and Initial Document Append

When user selects approach number:

• Append initial session overview to {brainstorming_session_output_file}
• Update frontmatter: stepsCompleted: [1], selected_approach: '[selected approach]'
• Load the appropriate step-02 file based on selection

5. Handle User Selection

After user selects approach number:

• If 1: Load ./step-02a-user-selected.md
• If 2: Load ./step-02b-ai-recommended.md
• If 3: Load ./step-02c-random-selection.md
• If 4: Load ./step-02d-progressive-flow.md

SUCCESS METRICS:

✅ Existing sessions detected without reading file contents ✅ User prompted to continue existing session or start new ✅ Correct session file selected for continuation ✅ Fresh workflow initialized with correct document structure ✅ Session context gathered and understood clearly ✅ User's approach selection captured and routed correctly ✅ Frontmatter properly updated with session state ✅ Document initialized with session overview section

FAILURE MODES:

❌ Reading file contents during session detection (wastes context) ❌ Not asking user before continuing existing session ❌ Not properly routing user's continue/new session selection ❌ Missing continuation detection leading to duplicate work ❌ Insufficient session context gathering ❌ Not properly routing user's approach selection ❌ Frontmatter not updated with session parameters

SESSION SETUP PROTOCOLS:

• Always list sessions folder WITHOUT reading file contents
• Ask user before continuing any existing session
• Only load continue step after user confirms
• Load brain techniques CSV only when needed for technique presentation
• Use collaborative facilitation language throughout
• Maintain psychological safety for creative exploration
• Clear next-step routing based on user preferences

NEXT STEPS:

Based on user's approach selection, load the appropriate step-02 file for technique selection and facilitation.

Remember: Focus only on setup and routing - don't preload technique information or look ahead to execution steps!