pi-brainstorm

A small pi extension that adds a read-only /brainstorm mode.

What it does

When brainstorm mode is active:

• allows only the read tool
• blocks shell commands and file edits/writes
• keeps the conversation exploratory
• avoids unsolicited "you should do X next" suggestions
• gives a clear recommendation when you ask for the best option
• shows a visible reminder in the UI
• drafts a decision-oriented markdown brief when you finish
• can replace the brainstorm transcript with the reviewed brief in LLM context when you finish without saving or when you save and choose the context-preserving option

UX

• /brainstorm starts brainstorm mode
• /brainstorm again opens a small menu:
  • Continue brainstorming
  • Finish and summarize
  • Cancel and discard
• /brainstorm finish finishes directly
• /brainstorm cancel exits immediately without a summary
• /brainstorm-summary-model configures an optional dedicated summary model
• Ctrl+Alt+B is a shortcut for the same flow

While active, the footer/widget reminds you how to finish or cancel.

Install / test

Quick test

pi --no-extensions -e /home/paul/projects/pi-brainstorm/extensions/brainstorm.ts

Use from your normal pi setup

Either:

• install from npm with pi install npm:@paulmupeters/pi-brainstorm
• copy or symlink extensions/brainstorm.ts into ~/.pi/agent/extensions/
• or add the file path to your pi extension settings

Brief export

When you finish a brainstorm, the extension:

1. collects the conversation since brainstorm mode started
2. asks the current model, or an optional dedicated summary-model override, to draft a concise decision brief
3. opens that brief in an editor so you can tweak it
4. then offers:
   • Brief to context
   • Brief to markdown
   • Brief to markdown and context
   • Continue brainstorming
   • Exit

The generated brief uses # Decision Brief: <topic> when the session reached a clear decision, recommendation, or strong preference. If no firm conclusion emerged, it uses # Brainstorm Brief: <topic> and calls out the strongest current leaning without inventing certainty. It leads with the recommendation/current leaning, then covers rationale, alternatives, risks/open questions, and a transcript summary capped at 5 sentences.

Default save path:

brainstorms/YYYY-MM-DD-topic.md

Optional summary model override

By default, brainstorm summaries use the currently active Pi model.

You can persist a separate user-level summary model with:

/brainstorm-summary-model

Or set it directly:

/brainstorm-summary-model google/gemini-2.5-flash
/brainstorm-summary-model clear

The preference is stored globally in ~/.pi/agent/settings.json under piBrainstorm.summaryModel and falls back to the active model when unset or unavailable.

If you choose Brief to context or Brief to markdown and context, the brainstorm transcript stays in session history, but future LLM context uses the reviewed brief instead of the full brainstorm exchange.

Notes

• During brainstorm mode, only the read tool is enabled on purpose.
• The extension restores your previously active tools after finishing/canceling.
• If model-based brief generation is unavailable, the extension falls back to a simple markdown transcript.