model-first

Model-first design defines explicit domain entities, state variables, and invariants before coding begins. This approach prevents cascading implementation failures by converting hidden assumptions into locked artifacts, schemas, or executable tests for complex interconnected systems.

To prevent systemic bugs in state machines and simulations, lock domain invariants by creating explicit artifacts, schemas, and assertions before implementation. This forces clear definition of interacting entities and rules to stop local changes from breaking global consistency.

You need to define explicit domain models before implementing complex systems like games, schedulers, parsers, or protocols. Defining models first prevents hidden specification failures caused by implicit assumptions in multi-entity interacting architectures.

To start using a model-first approach, ask the AI to apply the skill before building your system and provide a one-line description. It will identify your domain entities, operations, and cross-cutting invariants to lock into explicit schemas.

Yes, model-first design applies directly to parsers and protocol implementations. It handles interacting entities and rules by locking state variables and invariants into explicit schemas, preventing hidden specification failures during complex system development.

The limitation of model-first system design is that it requires upfront artifact creation and stable terminology before coding begins. This preparatory phase may slow initial implementation but is necessary to prevent global inconsistencies in complex interconnected systems.