[asabla]

> So how can AI usefully suggest design-level and conceptual ideas in a way that doesn’t require a user “trigger”?

I'm just guessing here. But maybe make it part of some other (already natural and learned) trigger made by the user.

I'm thinking part of refactoring. Were your AI is not only looking at the code, but the LSP, recent git changes (both commit and branch name), which code files you've been browsing.

And if you want to make it even more powerful. I guess also part of your browser history will be relevant (even if there is privacy concerns)