Skill: prototype

Prove it works. Minimum code. Maximum learning.

Master Checklist - Execute In Order

YOU MUST complete each checkbox before proceeding to the next phase.

Phase 1: SCOPE

• 1.1 Ask user: "What ONE thing are you trying to prove?"
• 1.2 Narrow until atomic (starts with "Can I...")
• 1.3 State the scope: "SCOPE: [single question]"

Phase 2: CONTEXT

• 2.1 Check current branch: git branch --show-current
• 2.2 If on main/master → Create branch: git checkout -b prototype/<scope-slug>
• 2.3 Run Skill(code-foundations:aposd-reviewing-module-design) to survey existing code
• 2.4 State: "CONTEXT: [environment summary]"

Phase 3: MINIMUM

• 3.1 Run Skill(code-foundations:cc-pseudocode-programming) - write 3-5 lines of pseudocode
• 3.2 Verify pseudocode is ONLY happy path (no error handling)
• 3.3 Verify code will be <50 lines (if not, re-scope)
• 3.4 State: "MINIMUM PATH: [pseudocode]"

Phase 4: EXECUTE

• 4.1 Write code from pseudocode
• 4.2 Add header comment: // PROTOTYPE: [scope] // NOT PRODUCTION
• 4.3 Run the code
• 4.4 State: "RESULT: [what happened]"

Phase 5: VERIFY

• 5.1 Answer: YES / NO / PARTIAL
• 5.2 If PARTIAL → identify what specifically worked/didn't

Phase 6: CAPTURE

• 6.1 Create docs/prototypes/ if needed
• 6.2 Write prototype log to docs/prototypes/YYYY-MM-DD-<scope>.md
• 6.3 Commit: git add . && git commit -m "prototype: [scope] - [YES/NO/PARTIAL]"

Phase 1: SCOPE (One Question Only)

YOU MUST get a single atomic question before any code.

Step 1.1 - Ask the Question

Ask user: "What ONE thing are you trying to prove?"

Step 1.2 - Narrow Until Atomic

Keep asking: "What's the FIRST thing that needs to work?"

Step 1.3 - State the Scope

SCOPE: Can I [specific atomic thing]?

GATE: Do not proceed until scope is ONE atomic question.

Phase 2: CONTEXT (Environment Check)

YOU MUST check branch and survey existing code.

Step 2.1 - Branch Check

git branch --show-current

Step 2.2 - Create Prototype Branch

If on main/master, YOU MUST create a branch:

git checkout -b prototype/<scope-slug>

GATE: Do not write code on main/master.

Step 2.3 - Survey Existing Code (MANDATORY)

Run this skill:

Skill(code-foundations:aposd-reviewing-module-design)

Answer these questions:

• What modules/APIs exist that might help?
• What patterns does this codebase use?
• What's the simplest integration point?

Step 2.4 - State Context

CONTEXT: [repo/scratch], [available APIs], [constraints]

Phase 3: MINIMUM (Shortest Path)

YOU MUST write pseudocode before any real code.

Step 3.1 - Write Pseudocode (MANDATORY)

Run this skill:

Skill(code-foundations:cc-pseudocode-programming)

Write 3-5 lines of pseudocode:

• Happy path ONLY
• NO error handling
• NO edge cases
• NO validation

Step 3.2 - Verify Happy Path Only

Check your pseudocode:

• No try/catch or error handling?
• No input validation?
• No edge case handling?
• Hardcoded values where possible?

If any are checked NO → Remove them. This is POC.

Step 3.3 - Verify Size

If pseudocode suggests >50 lines of code → STOP and re-scope.

Step 3.4 - State Minimum Path

MINIMUM PATH:
1. [pseudocode line 1]
2. [pseudocode line 2]
3. [pseudocode line 3]

GATE: Do not write code until pseudocode is approved.

Phase 4: EXECUTE (Surgical Code)

YOU MUST translate pseudocode to code with prototype header.

Step 4.1 - Write Code From Pseudocode

Translate each pseudocode line to real code. Add nothing extra.

Step 4.2 - Add Prototype Header (MANDATORY)

Every prototype file MUST start with:

// PROTOTYPE: [scope question]
// NOT PRODUCTION: No error handling, hardcoded values
// DATE: YYYY-MM-DD

Step 4.3 - Run the Code

Execute and observe what happens.

Step 4.4 - State Result

RESULT: [exactly what happened when code ran]

Phase 5: VERIFY (Binary Answer)

YOU MUST give a definitive answer.

Step 5.1 - Answer YES / NO / PARTIAL

Step 5.2 - If PARTIAL, Specify

PARTIAL:
- WORKS: [what succeeded]
- BLOCKED: [what failed]
- UNCLEAR: [what needs more investigation]

Phase 6: CAPTURE (Document for Production)

YOU MUST document learnings. Undocumented prototypes are wasted.

Step 6.1 - Create Directory

mkdir -p docs/prototypes

Step 6.2 - Write Prototype Log (MANDATORY)

Create docs/prototypes/YYYY-MM-DD-<scope-slug>.md:

# Prototype: [Scope Question]

**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Branch:** prototype/<scope-slug>
**Result:** YES / NO / PARTIAL

## What We Proved

[1-2 sentences]

## Minimum Working Code

```[language]
[the code that worked]

Key Learnings

• [learning 1]
• [learning 2]

Production Considerations

• Error handling needed for: [list]
• Edge cases: [list]
• Estimated complexity: simple / medium / complex

Next Steps

• Proceed to /code-foundations:whiteboarding with these learnings
• OR: More prototyping needed for [specific question]
• OR: Blocked by [blocker], need [alternative]

### Step 6.3 - Commit

```bash
git add .
git commit -m "prototype: [scope] - [YES/NO/PARTIAL]"

Crisis Invariants - NEVER SKIP

Anti-Rationalization Table

Skill Dependencies

This skill REQUIRES invoking:

1. Skill(code-foundations:aposd-reviewing-module-design) - Phase 2.3 (survey existing code)
2. Skill(code-foundations:cc-pseudocode-programming) - Phase 3.1 (write pseudocode)

These are NOT optional. They are mandatory steps in the checklist.

Chaining

• RECEIVES FROM: User question, feature idea, technical uncertainty
• CHAINS TO: /code-foundations:whiteboarding (with prototype learnings)
• SKILLS INVOKED: aposd-reviewing-module-design, cc-pseudocode-programming