Idea Mode

Idea Mode is for users who don't know what to build. It's a brainstorming session that helps you discover project ideas based on your preferences.

Launch Idea Mode

Standalone:

ralph-starter ideas

Or through the wizard (select "No, help me brainstorm ideas").

Discovery Methods

1. Brainstorm with AI

Open-ended creative suggestions. The AI generates diverse project ideas across different types and complexity levels.

Best for: When you want to explore possibilities without constraints.

2. Trending Ideas

Ideas based on 2025-2026 technology trends:

• AI/LLM integrations and tooling
• Local-first and privacy-focused apps
• Developer productivity tools
• Sustainable/green tech applications
• Accessibility and inclusive design

Best for: Building something relevant and timely.

3. Based on My Skills

Personalized ideas that:

• Build on your existing skills
• Introduce adjacent technologies
• Could become portfolio pieces

You'll be asked to select technologies you know:

• JavaScript/TypeScript
• React
• Node.js
• Python
• Go, Rust, etc.

Best for: Leveraging what you already know.

4. Solve a Problem

Describe a frustration or pain point, and get project ideas that could solve it.

Example problems:

• "I spend too much time organizing my notes"
• "Managing dotfiles is painful"
• "I can't find things in my bookmarks"

Best for: Building something personally useful.

Example Session

$ ralph-starter ideas

  ╭─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
  │   Let's discover what to build!                             │
  │   Don't have a project idea? No problem.                    │
  │   I'll help you brainstorm something awesome.               │
  ╰─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯

? How would you like to discover ideas?
❯ Brainstorm with AI - Get creative suggestions
  See trending ideas - Based on 2025-2026 tech trends
  Based on my skills - Personalized to what I know
  Solve a problem I have - Help me fix something

✔ Got some ideas!

  Here are some ideas for you:
  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

  1. Personal Finance Tracker
     Track expenses, set budgets, and visualize spending patterns
     Type: Web App  |  Difficulty: moderate
     Why: Practical everyday use

  2. Markdown Note Organizer
     CLI tool to organize, search, and link markdown notes
     Type: CLI Tool  |  Difficulty: easy
     Why: Simple to start, can grow in complexity

  3. API Status Dashboard
     Monitor multiple API endpoints and get alerts when they go down
     Type: Web App  |  Difficulty: moderate
     Why: Useful for developers

  4. Git Commit Analyzer
     Analyze git history to show contribution patterns and stats
     Type: CLI Tool  |  Difficulty: easy
     Why: Work with familiar tools

  5. Recipe API
     RESTful API for storing and retrieving recipes
     Type: API  |  Difficulty: easy
     Why: Classic CRUD project

  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

? Which idea interests you?
❯ Personal Finance Tracker - Track expenses, set budgets...
  Markdown Note Organizer - CLI tool to organize, search...
  API Status Dashboard - Monitor multiple API endpoints...
  Git Commit Analyzer - Analyze git history to show...
  Recipe API - RESTful API for storing and retrieving...
  None of these - I'll describe my own idea
  Generate more ideas

Idea Properties

Each generated idea includes:

Property	Description
Title	Short, memorable project name
Description	One sentence about what it does
Project Type	web, api, cli, mobile, library, automation
Difficulty	easy, moderate, challenging
Reasons	Why this is a good project to build

Offline Fallback

If no LLM is available (no API key and no coding agent), Idea Mode uses 20 pre-built template ideas across all discovery methods.

After Selecting an Idea

Once you select an idea:

• The idea is passed to the wizard
• The AI refines it further
• You can customize the tech stack and features
• Building begins

Or select "None of these - I'll describe my own idea" to enter a custom description.