This skill should be used when the user asks to "/oblique", "oblique strategy", "give me an oblique strategy", "give me a creative prompt", or wants lateral thinking inspiration for their coding session.
Inspired by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt's Oblique Strategies deck - a set of cards offering creative prompts to break through creative blocks and introduce unexpected directions.
Run the script to get 4 random strategies:
./scripts/pick-strategies.sh -n 4
Use AskUserQuestion to present the 4 strategies as options. Each strategy becomes a selectable option.
Format:
After the user selects a strategy, use another AskUserQuestion to ask how they'd like to apply it.
Format:
Based on the user's choice:
Apply to current task: Reframe the current work through the lens of the strategy. Offer specific suggestions for how the strategy might change the approach.
Use as session mindset: Acknowledge the strategy and naturally reference it throughout the session when relevant. Let it influence suggestions and perspectives.
Help me interpret it: Explain the strategy's origin and meaning, then offer interpretations for how it might apply to software development, debugging, architecture, or creative coding challenges.
User: /oblique
Claude: [Runs ./scripts/pick-strategies.sh -n 4]
Output:
- Honor thy error as a hidden intention
- Emphasise the flaws
- Do nothing for as long as possible
- Use an old idea
Claude: [AskUserQuestion #1]
"Which oblique strategy would you like to apply to this session?"
Options presented to user...
User: Selects "Honor thy error as a hidden intention"
Claude: [AskUserQuestion #2]
"How would you like to apply 'Honor thy error as a hidden intention'?"
Options presented to user...
User: Selects "Apply to current task"
Claude: Interesting choice! "Honor thy error as a hidden intention" suggests that
mistakes aren't accidents - they might be revealing something your
conscious mind missed.
For your current work, this could mean:
- That bug you found might actually be a feature in disguise
- The "wrong" approach might lead somewhere interesting
- Instead of fixing, explore what the error is trying to tell you
What are you working on? Let's see what hidden intentions might be lurking.
awk, sort, head, cut) for cross-platform compatibility