skills/domain-brainstorm/SKILL.md

---
name: domain-brainstorm
description: >-
  Brainstorm brandable names for a product, company, or project and check
  each one for an available domain in the same pass. Use when the user asks
  for name ideas, business names, startup names, app names, or "what should I
  call this", and a domain is part of what makes a name usable. Pairs
  generated ideas with the instant MCP tools so every suggestion
  is one the user can register.
---

# Domain brainstorm

Name ideas are only useful when the domain is available. This skill runs the
loop: generate candidates, check them in bulk, keep the ones that are free,
and expand on the best root when nothing fits.

## Workflow

1. **Understand the brief.** Industry, audience, tone (modern, classic,
   playful, professional), and any keywords the user wants in the name. Ask
   one question at most; guess sensibly otherwise.
2. **Generate 15-25 candidates.** Short (6-14 characters), pronounceable, easy
   to spell, no hyphens or digits unless they mean something. Mix invented
   words, compounds, and real words with a twist.
3. **Check them in one call.** `check_domain_availability` on the
   `instant` MCP server, with every candidate as `<name>.com` (at
   most 50 per call). Add a second call for `.io`, `.ai`, `.dev`, or `.app`
   when the brief is a tech product.
4. **Expand the strongest roots.** For the best two or three names that are
   taken on `.com`, call `generate_domain_variations` with
   `{"name": "<root>", "limit": 15}`, or `search_domains` with
   `{"name": "<root>"}` to try other extensions.
5. **Present a shortlist.** Five to ten names, each with a one-line reason and
   its `research_url` as a markdown link. Note aftermarket listings or premium
   prices when present (prices are USD cents). Say the status is as of the
   last index build.

## Guardrails

- Never suggest a name you did not check.
- Lowercase candidates and strip spaces before checking; the server rejects
  malformed domain input.
- `isRegistered: null` means the index has no data for that extension; label
  it unknown, not available.
- Prefer `.com` unless the user names another extension or the product is
  clearly developer-facing.
- Skip names that are trademarks of well-known companies.