Debate System
What This Does
Claude forms a position, then external AI models (Gemini, Codex, Qwen) challenge it through structured adversarial debate. Claude must defend, update, or synthesize based on valid critiques.
This is NOT Claude debating itself. Different models = different training = different blind spots = genuine value.
Requirements
Minimum: 1 external CLI installed and authenticated.
Run /debate:doctor to check system health.
Supported CLIs:
- •
gemini- @google/gemini-cli (free: 1000 req/day) - •
codex- @openai/codex (requires ChatGPT Plus) - •
qwen- @qwen-code/qwen-code (free: 2000 req/day)
Refuses to run with Claude-only. Claude debating itself is theater, not debate.
Commands
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
/debate <topic> | Full adversarial debate on any topic |
/debate:doctor | Check CLI health and authentication |
/debate:adr <topic> | Debate with formal ADR output for important decisions |
The Hybrid Protocol
- •Claude forms position on the topic
- •Parallel challenge - All external models critique simultaneously
- •Consensus check - If all agree → fast exit
- •Sequential confrontation - If disagreement, models respond to each other
- •Iterate until consensus OR max rounds
- •Assumption extraction - Surface WHY positions differ
- •Output - Consensus OR structured tradeoff document
When To Use
- •Complex decisions with no obvious answer
- •Suspecting blind spots in your thinking
- •Needing documented reasoning for team/future reference
- •Wanting genuine pushback, not "yes-man" AI
- •Architecture decisions, strategy, any high-stakes choice
The Core Value
Disagreement is signal, not failure.
When models can't agree, the output isn't "we failed" - it's a structured tradeoff document exposing:
- •What each option assumes
- •When each option is correct
- •The hidden assumptions causing the split
This transforms "who's right?" into "what would have to be true for each to be right?"
Settings
Configure in ~/.claude/debate.local.md:
--- max_rounds: 5 timeout_per_cli: 120 save_debate_logs: true debate_log_path: "./debate-logs" adr_path: "./docs/decisions" skeptical_of_early_agreement: true ---
Universal Application
Works for ANY decision:
- •Code architecture
- •Business strategy
- •Product features
- •Technical tradeoffs
- •Writing and content
- •Life decisions
The protocol adapts to domain automatically.