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Show HN: CreativeFlow – A Guided Brainstorming App

https://creativeflow.pages.dev/

Hey HN,

I work in analytics engineering (SQL, Python) and this is the first website I've put on the internet since MySpace. I built it while ironically trying to brainstorm ideas for side projects.

The origin: I asked Perplexity whether any app implemented the complete scientific creativity process — not just "AI brainstorming" but the actual validated sequence: preparation → divergent generation → incubation → convergent evaluation. It told me pieces exist (Notion AI for capture, various timer apps, scattered brainstorming tools) but nothing that enforces the full process as a single guided workflow. So I built it.

What it does:

The app is a 4-stage wizard based on Wallas' 1926 model, updated with modern neuroscience on Default Mode Network (DMN) and Executive Control Network (ECN) interactions:

Preparation — Frame the problem and define constraints. Constraints are intentional: research shows limits improve creative output by reducing the search space (Stokes, 2022). Optional: upgrade AI to Gemini 2.5 Flash with your own free key — or use the built-in Llama 3 backend with zero setup.

Generation — Judgment-free idea capture with AI augmentation (Generate / SCAMPER / Wildcard Constraint). No delete button. No scoring. UI designed to keep your ECN quiet and let the DMN run.

Incubation — A 10-minute countdown with rotating neuroscience cards on DMN activation, spreading activation theory, and why the most creative people alternate between focus and rest. Skip is available but discouraged. Mind-wandering during rest produces measurably better insights than continued focus (Baird et al., 2012).

Verification — Weighted criteria scoring, AI auto-scoring, AI refinement, and AI next steps generation. Tab-based mobile UI so you can switch between the ranked idea list and scoring panel without scrolling. Export full session as .txt.

Tech stack:

- React + TypeScript + Vite → Cloudflare Pages (static, no server)

Cloudflare Worker → Cloudflare Workers AI (Llama 3 8B, free tier) Optional BYOK: Gemini 2.5 Flash via direct browser API — on any error, silently falls back to Llama 3

localStorage only — no database, no auth, no backend

Built almost entirely with vibe coding (Cline + Claude) since I don't write React day-to-day

Rough edges:

No cloud sync — sessions live in your browser only No accounts, no sharing, no analytics

Link: https://creativeflow.pages.dev/

Feedback welcome, especially if you find this useful or have another method for coming up with ideas.

( 2 comments | on HN )
Re:Show HN: CreativeFlow – A Guided Brainstorming App by shwe94 on Wednesday February 18, 2026 @02:38PM (#47065285)
love how this enables creativity while brainstorming ideas. It's straightforward and very innovative.
Re:Show HN: CreativeFlow – A Guided Brainstorming App by venparth on Friday February 20, 2026 @09:36PM (#47096916)
Interesting approach — encoding the full creative cycle as enforced stages is a strong product decision. Making the process itself the core primitive (rather than just adding AI prompts) differentiates it. Curious how you’ll validate whether the structured flow measurably improves idea quality over time.