Getting Started with CIS

Unlock creative breakthroughs using AI-powered workflows with specialized agents that guide you through ideation, design thinking, innovation strategy, and systematic problem-solving.

What You’ll Learn

Install and initialize Creative Intelligence Suite
Run your first brainstorming session with Carson
Use design thinking for human-centered solutions
Apply innovation strategy to find market opportunities
Solve complex problems with systematic analysis
Craft compelling narratives with Sophia

Understanding CIS

The Creative Intelligence Suite (CIS) extends BMad Method with tools for the fuzzy front-end of development—where ideas are born, problems are reframed, and solutions emerge through structured creativity.

CIS Agents and Workflows

Agent	Workflow	Purpose
Carson	`brainstorming`	Generate ideas using 36 techniques across 7 categories
Maya	`design-thinking`	Human-centered design through 5 phases
Victor	`innovation-strategy`	Identify disruption opportunities and business model innovation
Dr. Quinn	`problem-solving`	Systematic problem diagnosis and root cause analysis
Sophia	`storytelling`	Craft compelling narratives using 25 story frameworks
Caravaggio	(coming soon)	Structure persuasive presentations

When to Use CIS

Situation	Use This
Stuck on a problem	`/cis-problem-solving`
Need fresh ideas	`/cis-brainstorm`
Designing for users	`/cis-design-thinking`
Finding market gaps	`/cis-innovation-strategy`
Telling your story	`/cis-storytelling`

Installation

CIS installs as a module during BMad Method setup. If you haven’t installed BMad Method yet:

npx bmad-method install

When prompted to select modules, choose Creative Intelligence Suite.

The installer adds CIS agents and workflows to your _bmad/ folder.

Step 1: Your First Brainstorming Session

Let’s start with the most popular workflow—brainstorming with Carson.

Load the Brainstorming Coach

In a fresh chat, load Carson:

/cis-brainstorm

Run the Session

Carson will ask what you want to brainstorm about. Provide a topic—anything from “improving user onboarding” to “new product ideas for pet owners.”

Carson guides you through:

Topic exploration — Understanding what you’re brainstorming
Technique selection — Choose from 36 techniques or let Carson recommend one
Ideation — Carson facilitates using “Yes, and…” methodology
Idea capture — Results saved to _bmad-output/brainstorming-{date}.md

Example Session

You: /cis-brainstorm
Carson: What would you like to brainstorm about?
You: Ways to reduce user churn
Carson: Let's explore this! I recommend the SCAMPER technique...
    [Guides you through 7 creative angles]
    [Generates diverse, actionable ideas]

Step 2: Human-Centered Design with Maya

When you need to design solutions for real people, Maya’s design thinking workflow helps you empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test.

Load the Design Thinking Coach

/cis-design-thinking

The Five Phases

Phase	What Happens
Empathize	Understand user needs and pain points
Define	Frame the problem from user perspective
Ideate	Generate diverse solutions
Prototype	Create rapid testable artifacts
Test	Validate with real users

What You Get

Output saved to _bmad-output/design-thinking-{date}.md:

Design challenge statement and point-of-view
User insights and empathy mapping
“How Might We” questions
Solution concepts with prototypes
Test plans and iteration roadmap

Step 3: Strategic Innovation with Victor

Victor helps you find disruption opportunities and business model innovation.

Load the Innovation Strategist

/cis-innovation-strategy

Strategic Analysis

Victor guides you through:

Market landscape — Competitive dynamics and trends
Jobs-to-be-Done — What users are actually trying to accomplish
Blue Ocean Strategy — Find uncontested market space
Business model innovation — New ways to create and capture value

What You Get

Output saved to _bmad-output/innovation-strategy-{date}.md:

Market disruption analysis
Innovation opportunity mapping
Business model canvas alternatives
Strategic priorities and implementation roadmap

Step 4: Systematic Problem-Solving with Dr. Quinn

For complex, stubborn problems, Dr. Quinn applies systematic methodologies to find root causes and effective solutions.

Load the Problem Solver

/cis-problem-solving

The Analytical Process

Dr. Quinn treats problems like puzzles:

Problem diagnosis — Separate symptoms from root causes
Framework selection — TRIZ, Theory of Constraints, Five Whys, Systems Thinking
Solution generation — Multiple approaches evaluated
Implementation planning — Actionable steps with risk mitigation

What You Get

Output saved to _bmad-output/problem-solution-{date}.md:

Root cause analysis
Solution evaluation matrix
Implementation plan with metrics
Risk mitigation strategies

Step 5: Storytelling with Sophia

When you need to persuade, inspire, or connect, Sophia crafts compelling narratives.

Load the Storyteller

/cis-storytelling

Narrative Development

Sophia guides you through:

Purpose definition — What should the audience feel/think/do?
Framework selection — Hero’s Journey, Story Brand, Three-Act, and more
Character development — Relatable protagonists and authentic voice
Narrative arc — Tension, climax, and resolution
Platform adaptation — Tailored for your medium

What You Get

Output saved to _bmad-output/story-{date}.md:

Complete narrative with emotional beats
Character development and dialogue
Sensory details and vivid moments
Platform-specific formatting

What You’ve Accomplished

You’ve learned the foundation of creative intelligence with CIS:

Installed CIS and explored all six agents
Run a brainstorming session with Carson
Applied design thinking with Maya
Analyzed innovation opportunities with Victor
Solved problems systematically with Dr. Quinn
Crafted narratives with Sophia

Your _bmad-output/ folder now contains:

your-project/
├── _bmad/
│   └── cis/                          # CIS agents and workflows
├── _bmad-output/
│   ├── brainstorming-{date}.md       # Your ideation session results
│   ├── design-thinking-{date}.md     # Human-centered design artifacts
│   ├── innovation-strategy-{date}.md # Strategic innovation roadmap
│   ├── problem-solution-{date}.md    # Root cause and solutions
│   └── story-{date}.md               # Your crafted narrative
└── ...

Quick Reference

Workflow	Command	Agent	Purpose
`brainstorming`	`/cis-brainstorm`	Carson	Generate diverse ideas
`design-thinking`	`/cis-design-thinking`	Maya	Human-centered design
`innovation-strategy`	`/cis-innovation-strategy`	Victor	Strategic innovation
`problem-solving`	`/cis-problem-solving`	Dr. Quinn	Root cause analysis
`storytelling`	`/cis-storytelling`	Sophia	Craft compelling narratives

Common Questions

How do I provide context to a workflow?

Use the --data flag with a file path:

workflow cis-design-thinking --data /path/to/user-research.md

Can I use multiple CIS workflows together?

Yes. Start with brainstorming to generate options, then use design thinking to refine user-centered solutions, or innovation strategy to evaluate business potential.

What’s the difference between problem-solving and design thinking?

Design thinking focuses on user needs and rapid prototyping. Problem-solving applies analytical frameworks to find root causes and evaluate solutions systematically.

Do I need to use all workflows?

No. Each workflow stands alone. Use the ones that match your current challenge.

Getting Help

During workflows — Agents guide you with questions and technique explanations
Community — Discord (#creative-intelligence-suite)
Issues — GitHub Issues

Key Takeaways

Ready to think differently? Start your first brainstorming session and discover where structured creativity can take you.