design-first

Imported from garydyksman/CaptureTheFlag-Server (CaptureTheFlag/.agents/skills/design-first/SKILL.md). Install upstream with npx skills add garydyksman/CaptureTheFlag-Server --skill design-first. Copyright stays with the author.

Design Before Code

Do not jump into implementation. Clarify what you are building first.

Process

1. Understand context — check existing code (ax_explore), docs, recent commits. Follow existing patterns.
2. Ask one question at a time — purpose, constraints, success criteria. Prefer multiple-choice.
3. Propose 2-3 approaches — with trade-offs and your recommendation. Lead with the recommended option.
4. Present design — scaled to complexity. A config change needs two sentences; a new subsystem needs architecture, data flow, error handling.
5. Get approval — do not write code until the user confirms the approach.

Scope check

If the request spans multiple independent subsystems, flag it. Help decompose into sub-projects first. Each gets its own design-approve-implement cycle.

Principles

• YAGNI — remove unnecessary features from all designs.
• Isolation — each unit has one purpose, clear interfaces, testable independently.
• Existing codebases — explore structure before proposing changes. Follow established patterns. Only improve code you are actively modifying.