Adaptic

5-step synoptic cycle → panoramic synthesis across domains. Sequential = compromise ("little of each"). Synoptic = integration → unified understanding holds all domains at once → emergent whole.

Use When

• Problem spans 3+ domains, interactions > depth in any one
• Polymath sequential tried → synthesis feels like compromise
• Existing approaches = "little of each" not unified vision
• Before major architectural decisions, multi-stakeholder
• Domain experts disagree → resolution lives between

Use NOT When

• Single-domain → use domain agent direct
• Well-understood trade-offs → polymath sequential enough
• Self-care/wellness → tending team
• Speed > depth → full cycle needs sustained attention

In

• Required: Problem requiring multi-domain synthesis
• Optional: Explicit domain list (default: auto-detect)
• Optional: Depth — light, standard, deep (default: standard)
• Optional: Expression form — narrative, diagram, table, recommendation (default: auto)

Config

settings:
  depth: standard          # light (skip meditate), standard, deep (extended perceive)
  domains: auto            # auto-detect or explicit list
  expression_form: auto    # narrative, diagram, table, recommendation

Do

Step 1: Clear — Empty Workspace

Run meditate → clear prior ctx, assumptions, single-domain bias.

1. Full meditate proc: prepare, anchor, observe distractions, close
2. Domain bias = tendency to frame via recently-active domain
3. Clear premature solutions arrived pre-full-picture
4. depth: light → brief ctx-clearing pause

→ Workspace empty. No domain priority. No solution pre-selected. Neutral receptive → hold multiple perspectives.

If err: Domain keeps asserting → name bias: "I frame this as primarily [domain]." Naming loosens. Clearing fails → genuinely single-domain → reconsider.

Step 2: Open — Panoramic Mode

Run expand-awareness → narrow → wide-field perception.

1. Inventory all domains → no pre-filter/rank
2. Per domain: core concerns, constraints, values — no eval
3. Soften focus: hold all simultaneously vs cycling
4. Resist "start solving" → opening field only
5. Domains in inputs → starting set, open to more

→ Panoramic field open. All domains simultaneous. Full landscape sensed. Spacious not overwhelming.

If err: List incomplete → "What missing would change picture?" Simultaneous → sequential scan → slow down. >7 domains → cluster related.

Step 3: Perceive — Cross-Domain Patterns

While maintaining panoramic, run observe + awareness → notice patterns, tensions, resonances across domains.

1. Hold Step 2 field open → no narrow
2. observe → what present: patterns across domains? tensions? resonances?
3. awareness → what not seen: ignored domains? blind spots? surface assumptions?
4. Record cross-domain no interpret:
   • Tensions: domains pull opposite
   • Resonances: domains reinforce/echo
   • Gaps: no domain addresses, whole reveals
   • Surprises: domain unexpected contribution
5. depth: deep → cycle multiple times → subtler patterns

Critical: perceive across all simultaneously, not each in turn. Sequential loses cross-domain patterns = entire point.

→ Rich cross-domain obs — tensions, resonances, gaps, surprises. Span boundaries not live within. Noticed something invisible from any single domain.

If err: All within single ("in domain A, I notice X") → field collapsed → Step 2. No cross-domain → problem not synoptic → genuinely decomposable. Overwhelming → prioritize tensions (integration happens there).

Step 4: Integrate — Emergent Whole

Run integrate-gestalt → synthesize cross-domain obs → unified understanding.

1. Map Step 3 tensions → don't resolve prematurely → hold as creative constraints
2. Find figure: unified understanding when all held together? Not compromise/avg → new pattern includes+transcends individual
3. Test whole: honors each domain's core concerns? Resolves tensions or papers over?
4. Name insight one clear statement → unstatable simply = incomplete
5. Verify emergent: reachable sequentially? Yes → synoptic added no value → sequential suffices

→ Single integrated understanding holding all simultaneously. Feels like discovery not construction — emerged from whole. Each domain honored, tensions resolved not compromised.

If err: "Little of each" not unified → gestalt not formed → Step 3, find avoided tensions — integration happens through tension. No gestalt → decompose: 2-3 strongest-tension domains first, then expand.

Step 5: Express — Communicate

Run express-insight → communicate synthesis.

1. Assess audience: what domains familiar? framing makes accessible?
2. Expression form (or input):
   • Narrative: audience needs parts→whole journey
   • Diagram: structural relationships
   • Table: systematic comparison
   • Recommendation: actionable decision
3. Express w/ transparency: which domains contributed, where tensions resolved, emergent insight beyond any single
4. Invite challenge: which aspects strongest, which most speculative

→ Clear expression accessible to audience. Shows work → audience sees domain contributions → whole. Form matches audience needs.

If err: Feels like list not integrated → insight lost → Step 4 one-statement summary, build outward from center. Wrong framing → "Who needs this and what decision does it inform?"

Check

• Step 1 (Clear) ran → ctx + domain bias released
• Step 2 (Open) produced panoramic 3+ domains
• Step 3 (Perceive) cross-domain patterns (not within-domain)
• Step 4 (Integrate) single emergent transcends individual
• Step 5 (Express) form appropriate to audience
• Output unreachable by sequential single-domain
• Each domain's core concerns honored
• Tensions resolved through integration, not compromise

Traps

• Sequential masquerading as simultaneous: Cycling domains + stapling results ≠ synoptic. Test: cross-domain interactions produced new, or just concatenation?
• Premature integration: Jump synthesis pre-panoramic field open. Steps 2+3 build foundation → rushing = shallow.
• Compromise instead of emergence: Avg ("50% security, 50% usability") = compromise. True integration finds frame where both fully met, or honestly names irreducible trade-off.
• Overuse single-domain: Not every problem panoramic. Single domain → synoptic adds overhead no value. "Use NOT When" exists.
• Losing insight in expression: Step 4 gestalt → Step 5 fragments back to domain list. Keep integrated insight center; domain details supporting evidence.
• Domain inflation: Artificially expand count → justify synoptic. 3 genuinely relevant > 7 where 4 peripheral.

→

• meditate — Step 1; clears ctx + neutral state
• expand-awareness — Step 2; narrow → panoramic
• observe — Step 3; what present across field
• awareness — Step 3; what not seen, blind spots
• integrate-gestalt — Step 4; emergent whole from cross-domain
• express-insight — Step 5; communicate integrated understanding