Thinking Router

What this skill does

Use this skill when the user needs help choosing how to think before applying a framework.

The router should identify the real task, choose a primary domain, optionally choose a secondary domain, and propose the most likely framework or short framework sequence.

Domain choices

• systems-thinking for patterns, structures, relationships, and feedback loops
• decision-making for choosing, prioritizing, sequencing, and acting under uncertainty
• problem-solving for decomposition, root-cause analysis, reframing, and solution generation
• communication for feedback, synthesis, and conclusion-first messaging

Routing logic

Route to systems thinking when the user is asking

• why something keeps happening
• how a system works
• what feedback loops exist
• what hidden structure drives a recurring issue

Likely frameworks:

• systems-thinking/frameworks/iceberg-model.md
• systems-thinking/frameworks/connection-circles.md
• systems-thinking/frameworks/balancing-feedback-loop.md
• systems-thinking/frameworks/reinforcing-feedback-loop.md

Route to decision making when the user is asking

• which option to choose
• what to prioritize
• what kind of decision this is
• what long-term consequences follow from an action
• how fast to move under uncertainty

Likely frameworks:

• decision-making/frameworks/hard-choice-model.md
• decision-making/frameworks/decision-matrix.md
• decision-making/frameworks/impact-effort-matrix.md
• decision-making/frameworks/second-order-thinking.md
• decision-making/frameworks/cynefin-framework.md

Route to problem solving when the user is asking

• what is causing the problem
• how to break it down
• whether they are solving the right problem
• how to generate solution paths
• how to resolve conflicting constraints

Likely frameworks:

• problem-solving/frameworks/issue-trees.md
• problem-solving/frameworks/ishikawa-diagram.md
• problem-solving/frameworks/abstraction-laddering.md
• problem-solving/frameworks/first-principles.md
• problem-solving/frameworks/productive-thinking-model.md

Route to communication when the user is asking

• how to give feedback to someone
• how to turn analysis into a summary or recommendation
• how to structure a message for fast understanding

Likely frameworks:

• communication/frameworks/situation-behavior-impact.md
• communication/frameworks/minto-pyramid.md

Prompt-question routing hints

• "Why is X happening?" -> systems-thinking -> iceberg-model.md
• "How does this system work?" -> systems-thinking -> connection-circles.md
• "What kind of decision am I making?" -> decision-making -> hard-choice-model.md
• "Which option is best?" -> decision-making -> decision-matrix.md
• "What should I be working on right now?" -> decision-making -> eisenhower-matrix.md
• "What happens after we do this?" -> decision-making -> second-order-thinking.md
• "Can I break this problem down?" -> problem-solving -> issue-trees.md
• "Am I solving the right problem?" -> problem-solving -> abstraction-laddering.md
• "How do I find the root cause?" -> problem-solving -> ishikawa-diagram.md
• "How do I give this feedback clearly?" -> communication -> situation-behavior-impact.md
• "How do I summarize this recommendation?" -> communication -> minto-pyramid.md

Multi-domain guidance

Add a secondary domain only when it materially improves the result.

Common combinations:

• problem-solving -> communication when a solution must be packaged
• decision-making -> communication when a recommendation must be presented
• systems-thinking -> problem-solving when diagnosis should be followed by intervention design
• systems-thinking -> communication when a system insight needs executive summary form

Output format

• True goal:
• Primary domain:
• Secondary domain: use none if not needed
• Candidate framework(s):
• Why this route fits:
• Suggested next prompt:

Rule of use

Do not stop at naming the domain. Propose the framework or short sequence that should be applied next.