When Stuck — Problem-Solving Dispatch

Overview

Different stuck-types need different techniques. This skill helps you quickly identify which problem-solving skill to use.

Core principle: Match stuck-symptom to technique.

Stuck-Type → Technique

How You're Stuck	Use This Skill
Complexity spiraling — Same thing 5+ ways, growing special cases	simplification-cascades/SKILL.md
Need innovation — Conventional solutions inadequate, can't find fitting approach	collision-zone-thinking/SKILL.md
Recurring patterns — Same issue different places, reinventing wheels	meta-pattern-recognition/SKILL.md
Forced by assumptions — "Must be done this way", can't question premise	inversion-exercise/SKILL.md
Scale uncertainty — Will it work in production? Edge cases unclear?	scale-game/SKILL.md
Multiple independent problems — Can parallelize investigation	Use Agent tool with parallel subagents

Process

1. Identify stuck-type — What symptom matches above?
2. Load that skill — Read the specific technique
3. Apply technique — Follow its process
4. If still stuck — Try different technique or combine

Combining Techniques

Some problems need multiple techniques:

• Simplification + Meta-pattern: Find pattern, then simplify all instances
• Collision + Inversion: Force metaphor, then invert its assumptions
• Scale + Simplification: Extremes reveal what to eliminate

Quick Dispatch

Same thing implemented 5+ ways?       → simplification-cascades
Can't find fitting approach?          → collision-zone-thinking
Same issue in 3+ different places?    → meta-pattern-recognition
"This must be done this way"?         → inversion-exercise
Will this survive production scale?   → scale-game

Remember

• Match symptom to technique
• One technique at a time
• Combine if first doesn't work
• Document what you tried