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title Getting Started with CIS
description Learn to brainstorm, innovate, and solve problems with Creative Intelligence Suite

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

:::note[Prerequisites]

  • BMad Method installed — CIS is a module that extends BMad Method
  • AI-powered IDE — Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or similar
  • A challenge or idea — Something to brainstorm, solve, or improve :::

:::tip[Quick Path] Install CIS — Select during BMad setup or npx bmad-method install Try brainstorming — /cis-brainstorm with Carson Explore workflows — Each agent specializes in creative approaches Fresh chats for each workflow to avoid context issues. :::

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.

:::note[Already have BMad Method installed?] Run the installer again and select Creative Intelligence Suite to add it to your existing setup. :::

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:

  1. Topic exploration — Understanding what you're brainstorming
  2. Technique selection — Choose from 36 techniques or let Carson recommend one
  3. Ideation — Carson facilitates using "Yes, and..." methodology
  4. 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:

  1. Market landscape — Competitive dynamics and trends
  2. Jobs-to-be-Done — What users are actually trying to accomplish
  3. Blue Ocean Strategy — Find uncontested market space
  4. 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:

  1. Problem diagnosis — Separate symptoms from root causes
  2. Framework selection — TRIZ, Theory of Constraints, Five Whys, Systems Thinking
  3. Solution generation — Multiple approaches evaluated
  4. 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:

  1. Purpose definition — What should the audience feel/think/do?
  2. Framework selection — Hero's Journey, Story Brand, Three-Act, and more
  3. Character development — Relatable protagonists and authentic voice
  4. Narrative arc — Tension, climax, and resolution
  5. 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

:::tip[Remember These]

  • Always use fresh chats — Start a new chat for each workflow
  • Trust the facilitation — Agents guide you through proven techniques
  • Capture everything — Outputs are saved automatically
  • Iterate freely — Run workflows multiple times as ideas evolve :::

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