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Causal Loop MicroSim Generator

Overview

The causal-loop-microsim-generator skill creates interactive Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) MicroSims using the vis-network JavaScript library for systems thinking education. Each MicroSim visualizes cause-and-effect relationships, feedback loops, and system dynamics through an interactive node-edge diagram that can be embedded via iframe in educational content.

Purpose

This skill transforms complex system dynamics into interactive, explorable visualizations that enable students to understand feedback loops, reinforcing and balancing dynamics, and cause-and-effect relationships. CLDs are fundamental tools in systems thinking, helping learners recognize patterns in complex systems and identify intervention points.

Key Features

  • Interactive Causal Diagrams: Node-link diagrams showing causal relationships with polarity indicators
  • Feedback Loop Visualization: Reinforcing (R) and Balancing (B) loop indicators with automatic placement
  • Polarity Indicators: Green (+) for positive relationships, Red (-) for negative relationships
  • Click-to-Detail: Interactive panels showing node, edge, and loop descriptions
  • Systems Archetypes: Support for common patterns like "limits to growth", "fixes that fail", "shifting the burden"
  • Educational Content: Built-in discussion questions, key insights, and learning objectives
  • MicroSim Architecture: Standardized patterns for iframe embedding at 500px height
  • Width Responsive: Adapts to container width with re-centering

When to Use

Use this skill when users need to:

  • Create causal loop diagrams for systems thinking courses
  • Visualize feedback loops in business, ecology, or social systems
  • Explain reinforcing and balancing dynamics
  • Demonstrate systems archetypes (limits to growth, tragedy of the commons, etc.)
  • Build interactive cause-and-effect visualizations
  • Teach system dynamics concepts

Common Trigger Phrases

  • "Create a CLD showing..."
  • "Visualize the feedback loops in..."
  • "Build a causal loop diagram for..."
  • "Show the reinforcing loop between..."
  • "Create a systems thinking diagram of..."
  • "Generate a causal diagram showing..."

MicroSim Architecture

Educational MicroSims occupy the intersection of:

  1. Simplicity: Focused scope, transparent code
  2. Accessibility: Browser-native, universal embedding
  3. AI Generation: Standardized patterns, prompt-compatible design

Folder Structure

Each causal loop MicroSim contains:

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/docs/sims/$MICROSIM_NAME/
├── index.md               # Main documentation with iframe
├── main.html              # HTML container with vis-network CDN
├── $MICROSIM_NAME.js      # JavaScript code for CLD rendering
├── data.json              # Node, edge, and loop definitions
└── style.css              # Custom CSS for layout and legend

Educational Requirements Specification

Before generating, the skill gathers:

  1. MicroSim Name: kebab-case identifier (e.g., ai-flywheel, climate-feedback)
  2. Title: Display title for the diagram
  3. Description: What system is being modeled
  4. Nodes: Variables in the system with descriptions
  5. Edges: Causal relationships with polarity (positive/negative)
  6. Loops: Feedback loop identification (reinforcing R or balancing B)

CLD Concepts

Causal Relationships (Edges)

  • Positive Polarity (+): "More of A leads to more of B" (same direction change)
  • Negative Polarity (-): "More of A leads to less of B" (opposite direction change)

Feedback Loop Types

Type Symbol Behavior Example
Reinforcing R Exponential growth or collapse Viral adoption, compound interest
Balancing B Goal-seeking, stability Thermostat, predator-prey equilibrium

Loop Determination Rules

  • Reinforcing Loop: All edges same polarity OR even number of negative edges
  • Balancing Loop: Odd number of negative edges in the loop

Systems Thinking Archetypes

The skill recognizes and can generate common systems archetypes:

Archetype Loops Pattern
limits-to-growth R + B Growth eventually limited by constraint
fixes-that-fail B + R Quick fix creates side effects
shifting-the-burden 2B + R Symptomatic vs fundamental solution
success-to-the-successful 2R Winner-take-all dynamics
tragedy-of-the-commons Multiple R + B Shared resource depletion
escalation 2R Arms race pattern
drifting-goals B + R Standards erosion over time

JSON Data Schema

The data.json file follows a comprehensive schema:

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{
  "metadata": {
    "id": "example-cld",
    "title": "Example System",
    "archetype": "limits-to-growth",
    "description": "Description of the system",
    "learning_objectives": ["..."],
    "version": "1.0.0"
  },
  "nodes": [
    {
      "id": "node_1",
      "label": "Variable Name",
      "position": {"x": 300, "y": 150},
      "type": "variable",
      "description": "What this variable represents"
    }
  ],
  "edges": [
    {
      "id": "node_1_to_node_2",
      "source": "node_1",
      "target": "node_2",
      "polarity": "positive",
      "description": "How these relate"
    }
  ],
  "loops": [
    {
      "id": "main_loop",
      "type": "reinforcing",
      "path": ["node_1", "node_2", "node_1"],
      "label": "Growth Cycle",
      "position": {"x": 300, "y": 300}
    }
  ],
  "educational_content": {
    "discussion_questions": ["..."],
    "key_insights": ["..."]
  }
}

Node Types

Type Description Use Case
stock Accumulation variable Resources, inventory, population
variable Flow or rate variable Rates, decisions, activities
parameter External constant Policies, fixed factors

Node Positioning Guidelines

The skill uses these positioning patterns for clean layouts:

Canvas Dimensions

  • Standard canvas: 600x600 pixels
  • Center point: (300, 300)
  • Margin: 100px from edges

Layout Patterns

3-Node Triangle: 

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Node 1: (300, 100)  - Top
Node 2: (450, 400)  - Bottom Right
Node 3: (150, 400)  - Bottom Left

4-Node Diamond: 

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Node 1: (300, 150)  - Top
Node 2: (450, 300)  - Right
Node 3: (300, 450)  - Bottom
Node 4: (150, 300)  - Left

5-Node Pentagon: 

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Node 1: (300, 100)  - Top
Node 2: (470, 220)  - Top Right
Node 3: (410, 420)  - Bottom Right
Node 4: (190, 420)  - Bottom Left
Node 5: (130, 220)  - Top Left

Visual Configuration

Polarity Colors

  • Positive (+): Green #28a745
  • Negative (-): Red #dc3545

Loop Indicators

  • Reinforcing (R): Red ellipse background #dc3545
  • Balancing (B): Green ellipse background #28a745

Edge Curves

Curves prevent edge overlap:

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{
  "curve": {
    "type": "curvedCW",    // or "curvedCCW"
    "roundness": 0.4       // 0.1 to 0.5
  }
}

Interactive Features

Click Events

  • Node Click: Shows variable details (type, description, examples)
  • Edge Click: Shows relationship details (polarity, strength, delay)
  • Loop Click: Shows loop information (type, path, behavior pattern)

URL Parameters

  • menu=true: Show header and details panel (default hidden for iframe)
  • file=filename: Load a specific JSON file

Educational Content Features

The skill generates:

Learning Objectives (Bloom's Taxonomy)

  • Remember: Identify loop types and polarity
  • Understand: Explain causal relationships
  • Apply: Predict system behavior
  • Analyze: Identify leverage points
  • Evaluate: Assess intervention strategies
  • Create: Design system modifications

Discussion Questions

Generated questions explore "what if" scenarios, challenge assumptions, and connect to real-world examples.

Key Insights

Highlights non-obvious relationships, counterintuitive behaviors, delay effects, and unintended consequences.

Best Practices

Diagram Design

  1. Start Simple: Begin with core feedback loop, add complexity gradually
  2. Clear Labels: Use concise, descriptive variable names (max 20 characters)
  3. Meaningful Relationships: Include only significant causal links
  4. Loop Labels: Name loops descriptively (e.g., "Growth Engine", "Quality Control")

Educational Value

  1. Context: Explain what real-world system the CLD represents
  2. Guided Exploration: Provide questions to focus investigation
  3. Intervention Points: Identify where to apply leverage
  4. Assessment: Include comprehension questions

Accessibility

  1. Color and Symbol: Use both color and +/- symbols for polarity
  2. Click Details: Provide text descriptions for all elements
  3. Legend: Include legend explaining visual conventions
  4. Alternative Text: Document provides text-based alternative

Output Files

  1. index.md: Documentation with iframe embed, learning objectives, and explanation
  2. main.html: HTML container with vis-network CDN and layout structure
  3. [sim-name].js: JavaScript code for loading data and rendering the CLD
  4. data.json: Complete CLD data with nodes, edges, loops, and educational content
  5. style.css: CSS for layout, legend, and details panel styling

Post-Generation Actions

After generating files, the skill reminds users to:

  1. Take a screenshot and save as [sim-name].png in the MicroSim directory
  2. Update mkdocs.yml navigation (entries should be alphabetically ordered)
  3. Test the iframe embed in the documentation page

Integration with Other Skills

Primary Integrations:

  • microsim-p5: For more complex dynamic simulations with animation
  • vis-network: Base library for network visualization
  • learning-graph-generator: Can visualize concept dependencies as CLD

Content Integrations:

  • chapter-content-generator: Embed CLDs in systems thinking chapters
  • quiz-generator: Create questions about system dynamics
  • glossary-generator: Link CLD terms to glossary definitions

Technical Requirements

  • vis-network.js: Loaded from CDN (unpkg.com)
  • Modern Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • No Server: Runs entirely client-side
  • Responsive: Container-based sizing

Example Use Cases

  1. AI Adoption Flywheel: Reinforcing loop of AI usage → data → accuracy → adoption
  2. Climate Feedback: Multiple loops showing warming → ice melt → albedo effects
  3. Technical Debt: Balancing pressures of speed vs. quality in software development
  4. Market Dynamics: Supply and demand with price equilibration
  5. Learning Curve: Skill → productivity → practice time feedback

Troubleshooting

Issue: Loops not displaying correctly

Solution: Verify loop paths form complete cycles, check polarity count for loop type

Issue: Edges overlapping

Solution: Use opposite curve directions (curvedCW/curvedCCW) for parallel edges

Issue: Nodes too close together

Solution: Adjust position coordinates, maintain 150px minimum spacing

Issue: Details panel not updating

Solution: Verify click handlers in JavaScript, check element IDs match

References

  • vis-network Documentation: https://visjs.github.io/vis-network/docs/network/
  • Systems Thinking Archetypes: Senge, P. (1990) The Fifth Discipline
  • Causal Loop Diagrams: Sterman, J. (2000) Business Dynamics
  • System Dynamics Society: https://systemdynamics.org/