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mashup skill

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/skills/collaboration/mashup

This skill blends patterns from unrelated domains to spark fresh UX ideas and novel concepts for product design.

npx playbooks add skill nickcrew/claude-cortex --skill mashup

Review the files below or copy the command above to add this skill to your agents.

Files (1)

SKILL.md

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---
name: mashup
description: Force-fit patterns from other domains to spark novel concepts.
license: MIT
---

# `/collaboration:mashup`

Use when you want fresh UX/GT ideas by blending unrelated domains.

## Inputs
- Topic/problem
- Domains to borrow from (flags or let it randomize)
- Any constraints to respect

## Steps
1. Pick 2–3 orthogonal domains (fintech, gaming, health, etc.).
2. Lift 1–2 patterns per domain (loyalty loops, streaks, rituals, marketplace dynamics).
3. Create 3 mashup concepts with user journey sketch, differentiator, risk, first experiment.
4. Label one bold bet and one safe bet.
5. Hand off to `/ctx:plan` or add Tasks for the experiments.

## Output Template
```
### Domains & Patterns
### Mashup Concepts (3)
- Concept … (journey, differentiator, risk, first experiment)
### Bold Bet / Safe Bet
### Next Experiments
```

## Pairings
- Combine with `/collaboration:assumption-buster` to widen the idea pool.
- Use `/collaboration:concept-forge` to score the mashups.

Overview

This skill force-fits patterns from unrelated domains to spark novel product or UX concepts. It blends 2–3 orthogonal domains, extracts recognizable patterns, and produces concise mashup concepts with user journeys, risks, and first experiments. The goal is rapid idea generation that surfaces both safe and bold bets ready for validation.

How this skill works

Provide a topic or problem, optionally pick domains to borrow from (or let the tool randomize), and set constraints to respect. The skill selects 1–2 patterns per domain, then generates three distinct mashup concepts including a user journey sketch, how the idea differentiates, key risk, and a first experiment. It labels one bold bet and one safe bet and can hand off results as experiments or tasks for execution.

When to use it

You want rapid, out-of-category inspiration for product features or UX.
Brainstorming sessions that need structured, divergent idea generation.
When the team is stuck on incremental changes and needs radical alternatives.
Preparing experiments or decks that must show both conservative and ambitious options.
Pairing with validation frameworks to accelerate testing roadmaps.

Best practices

Start with a clear, narrow problem statement to keep mashups actionable.
Limit domains to 2–3 orthogonal areas to maximize creative friction.
Extract concrete, portable patterns (e.g., streaks, marketplace dynamics) rather than vague metaphors.
Define constraints up front (legal, technical, budget) so concepts are feasible.
Convert each concept into a single, testable first experiment and owner.

Example use cases

Designing a loyalty program by blending gaming streak mechanics with fintech reward flows to increase retention.
Reimagining onboarding by combining health habit rituals with social marketplace dynamics for habit-driven marketplaces.
Generating new enterprise features by applying consumer social layering patterns to B2B workflow tools.
Exploring new revenue models by mixing subscription rhythms from entertainment with pay-per-service marketplace design.
Kickstarting a workshop: feed teams randomized domain pairings to produce three pivot-ready concepts each.

FAQ

How many domains should I pick?

Pick 2–3 orthogonal domains. Two is fast and focused; three increases novelty but can complicate execution.

What counts as a pattern?

A pattern is a reusable interaction or structural idea (e.g., loyalty loops, rituals, scarcity-based marketplaces, leveling systems). Aim for concrete behaviors you can map into the target problem.