Direct Mode is the shortest path from question to insight.

Direct Mode is the Brainstorm Reactor's default operating mode and permanent resting state (Denkraum). It presents a clean conversational workbench and gives you direct access to the 315+ method library, open-ended brainstorming, autonomous deep research, and instant web search — without requiring complex pipeline setups.

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Modeless Workbench Architecture

In the Brainstorm Reactor, a workflow is not a separate location or tab, but an active execution state. The left sidebar functions as a unified studio workbench:

• Resting State (Direct Mode): When no recipe is running, the sidebar displays the 6 consolidated tool categories alongside the curated Recipe Shelf.
• Dynamic Transition (Workflow State): When you select a recipe, the workbench morphs into the focused MetroMapWorkflow view, displaying the active execution steps, step controls (Step-by-Step vs. Automatic), and a one-click dismiss action.
• Unified Input Cockpit: In the input dock, the primary model selector bridges Direct Mode and Workflow Mode within a single unified control (InputModelSelector). In Direct Mode, it preserves cognitive clarity by displaying only the primary synthesis model and its token cost. In Workflow Mode (Step-by-Step, Automatic, or active recipe), it automatically surfaces all three planned orchestrator model slots (Synthesis, Logic, Search) with interactive 1-click mono-model assignment and direct configuration access ([Customize slots ↗]).
• Modeless Handoff: When a recipe completes its final step or is closed via [✕ Close Recipe], the system seamlessly returns to the direct workbench resting state. Chat history, generated artifacts, and pool notes remain fully preserved.
• Asynchronous Tab-Title Reflection: Long-horizon workflows actively reflect progress in the browser tab title (⏳ (2/5) [Title]) and signal completion with a clear beacon (✓ [Title]), keeping you informed even when working in other tabs.

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Operating Modes in Direct Mode

In Direct Mode, you have full flexibility over how your input is processed:

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Direct Mode Sidebar Taxonomy (6 Categories)

In Direct Mode, the left sidebar organizes tools and formats into six cohesive categories:

1. Interview & Discourse (↗): Dedicated dialectical inquiry engines that open in focused modal dialogues (Briefing-Interview, Gegenwind Sparring, Project Planning Interview, Gravity Sparring).
2. Ideation & Formats: Rapid format lenses (5 Ideas, 10 Ideas, Matrix Exploration).
3. Clarity & Synthesis: Executive summaries, structured freeform lists, verbatim audio/text transcription, anti-slop copy sharpening (Sprachschärfe), and EU token pseudonymization.
4. Strategy & Stress Test: Integrated strategy and adversarial validation engines, fusing Business Model Canvas, SWOT Analysis, RACI matrices, Pre-Mortem, Red Team simulations, and Blind Spot audits.
5. Structure, Layout & Codes: Structural diagrams and generative layouts, including interactive network knowledge graphs, Mermaid timelines, Rapid Web Layouts, App Mockups, QR codes, and Domain Radar checks.
6. Image & Direction (↗): The isolated Director's Studio and Visual Science Suite, providing cinematic visual prompting, FLUX generation, Visual Science Lab subject audits, and multimodal creative tooling.

Accordion Navigation & Solo Focus (⌥ + Click)

The sidebar supports multi-category expansion so you can cross-reference complementary tools without losing context:

• Solo Focus (⌥ Option / Alt + Click): Hold ⌥ Option (macOS) or Alt (Windows/Linux) while clicking any category header to collapse all other sections and focus exclusively on the selected domain. Power users can also press ⌥ + Enter or ⌥ + Space.
• Collapse All: Whenever categories are expanded, the meta-bar displays the active category count (e.g. 2/6) and a [ Collapse all ] action to reset the entire sidebar with a single click.

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The Workflow Hub & Workflow Creation

Positioned directly below the tool accordion, the Workflow Hub provides clear, uncluttered entry points into multi-step execution without colliding with the direct tools above:

• Cognitive Non-Interference: The resting state avoids arbitrary static recipe sampling. This prevents category confusion (such as a pinned Kassandra Stresstest competing with the Strategy & Stress Test category) and protects visual focus.
• Recent Recipes: When recipes have been actively executed in the current session, a compact Recently Used list appears for instant resumption.
• Recipe Catalog ([ Browse All Recipes ↗ ]): Opens the complete searchable catalog with filtering by cognitive domains.
• Workflow Creation:
  • [ ⚡ Generate Workflow (AI) ]: Direct trigger to the AI Workflow Architect, which plans a multi-step execution pipeline tailored to your current topic.
  • [ + Build Manually ]: Interactive step builder allowing you to assemble custom sequences from the 315+ method catalog.

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Working Without a Method (Method-Baked Reasoning)

When you submit a strategic question, dilemma, or challenge in Direct Mode without manually selecting a method, PureStream v1 enforces Method-Baked Reasoning:

• Intrinsic Epistemic Structuring: Instead of superficial chatbot tips or conversational listicles, the model structures its answer using the underlying mechanics of proven analytical frameworks (isolating core parameter contradictions, auditing unstated premises, inverting constraints, or mapping causal dependencies).
• Answer-First for Broad Concepts: For single-term or broad inputs (e.g. Marketing, Pricing, Expansion), the engine provides an immediate 3-vector diagnostic decomposition of the primary structural tensions rather than stalling with clarifying counter-questions.
• Cognitive Elevation Without Friction: You experience the clarity and precision of structured methods directly in the output stream—without needing to browse catalogs or configure pipelines beforehand.

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Working With a Method

1. Via SmartChip: Start typing a method name (e.g. brainstorming, 6-3-5, walt disney). An instant chip appears above the prompt. Clicking it immediately anchors [🧠 Method Name ✕] into Zone 1.
2. Via Sidebar: Click any method in the method catalog to load it.

Your prompt is processed through that specific analytical lens. To deselect a method, click the ✕ on the method chip in Zone 1.

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Input Behavior & Action Microcopy

In Direct Mode, the text area supports responsive multi-line editing:

• Enter sends the message in Direct Mode (Senden (↵)), executes the active step in Step Mode (Schritt ausführen (↵)), or starts the automated run in Auto Mode (Workflow starten (↵)).
• Shift+Enter creates a new line (soft return).
• ⌘+Enter / Ctrl+Enter also dispatches for power users.
• Two-Stage Stop Guard: During active generations or multi-step execution, the action button transitions to Pause workflow on first click, and Confirm stop on second click within 3 seconds, preventing accidental workflow interruptions.
• Text Preservation Guarantee: Your draft prompt is preserved across mode changes, recipe selections, and state refreshes.

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The Smart Assistant Shelf (Zone 2)

As you type in Direct Mode, the single-slot Smart Assistant Shelf provides assistive recommendations in real time:

• Method Match: Interactive chips matching your query to the 315+ method catalog.
• Recipe Recommendations: Proactively suggests complete workflow recipes for multi-stage goals without forcing a mode change.
• Privacy Nudge: Automatically detects IBANs, email addresses, and confidential terms, offering a one-click EU Privacy Shield activation.
• Golden Upgrade Chip: Recommends high-reasoning model upgrades for computationally complex tasks.

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Rotating Placeholder

When the input field is empty and idle, a rotating placeholder cycles through example prompts drawn from the method library. Click the input and start typing to dismiss them.

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Method Playground & Custom Recipes

As you use different methods in Direct Mode, the Brainstorm Reactor tracks your sequence. After using multiple distinct methods in a single session, a chip appears in Zone 2 offering to save your method sequence as a custom Recipe—converting an exploratory session into a repeatable, automated workflow.

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Related Documentation

• Inputs & Context Architecture — Deep dive into the 4-Zone Smart Input layout
• Cognitive Scoring Matrix — How the 2D Targeting Matrix recommends methods
• Deep-Linking & Session URLs — Creating bookmarkable Direct Mode sessions
• Recipe Builder — Constructing custom pipelines from method sequences