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design-first

Triage tasks to determine whether architecture design is required before implementation.

Updated Mar 2, 2026
Search Tags:#workflow#planning#architecture#adr#design-first#task-triage
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/maestria-co/ai-playbook --skill design-first-maestria-co
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: design-first
Source: https://github.com/maestria-co/ai-playbook/tree/main/skills/design-first
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/maestria-co/ai-playbook --skill design-first-maestria-co

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Not every task requires upfront architecture design; this skill triages tasks to decide design-first vs implement-direct to reduce risk and rework.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Triage criteria to identify when design-first is necessary, including new subsystems, cross-cutting changes, data-model shifts, or irreversible decisions.
  • Guidance on lightweight design versus full ADR workflows, and when to generate plan.md or ADR artifacts.
  • Step-by-step workflow for starting a task with design considerations, then transitioning to implementation if appropriate.

Quick Start

Analyze the task at hand and reply with a design-first plan if it meets triage criteria; otherwise proceed with direct implementation.

Frequently Asked Questions about design-first

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
When do I need architecture design before implementing a new module?▼

Architecture design is required before implementing new modules, data model changes, API design, or cross-cutting changes affecting multiple files. Triage criteria identify these irreversible decisions to reduce risk and rework.

What is the best way to decide between upfront design and direct implementation?▼

The best way to decide between upfront design and direct implementation is applying task triage criteria. Evaluate task scope to determine if new subsystems, data-model shifts, or cross-cutting changes require design-first workflows.

How do I create an ADR for cross-cutting code changes?▼

To create an ADR for cross-cutting code changes, follow the recommended full ADR workflow and generate artifacts in the .context/decisions/ directory to document irreversible architecture decisions.

Do I need a full architecture design for every API change?▼

No, you do not need a full architecture design for every API change. Task triage assesses the scope; lightweight design generating a plan.md artifact may suffice for lower-risk API changes.

Why does task triage recommend lightweight design over full ADRs?▼

Task triage recommends lightweight design over full ADRs to reduce overhead for smaller tasks. It reserves full ADR workflows and .context/decisions/ artifacts for irreversible decisions or cross-cutting changes.

How to start a task with design considerations before coding?▼

To start a task with design considerations, analyze the task at hand against triage criteria. If it involves new subsystems or data model changes, generate a plan.md before transitioning to implementation.

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