prototype

Build throwaway terminal or UI prototypes to validate logic models and state transitions.

1|Updated Mar 19, 2026

Search Tags:#prototype #ui design #state machine #logic modeling #throwaway code #terminal app

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/ian-pascoe/dotfiles-chezmoi --skill prototype-ian-pascoe

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: prototype
Source: https://github.com/ian-pascoe/dotfiles-chezmoi/tree/main/dot_agents/skills/prototype
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/ian-pascoe/dotfiles-chezmoi --skill prototype-ian-pascoe

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps you quickly test whether a logic model, state transition, or UI concept actually works before you invest in production code.

Core Features & Use Cases

Logic prototyping: Build a tiny interactive terminal app to explore business rules, edge cases, and state changes by hand.
UI prototyping: Generate multiple radically different layout options so you can compare structure, hierarchy, and interaction patterns.
Use Case: Use it when you are unsure whether a state machine is valid, want to compare dashboard layouts, or need a throwaway prototype that makes the right design tradeoffs visible fast.

Quick Start

Ask the prototype skill to build a throwaway prototype for the specific logic or UI question you want to test in this repository.

Frequently Asked Questions about prototype

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

FAQPage Schema

How do I validate a state machine before writing production code?▼

You can validate a state machine by building a throwaway interactive terminal prototype that lets you manually explore business rules, edge cases, and state transitions. This approach makes design tradeoffs visible fast without committing to production architecture.

What is throwaway prototyping for logic modeling and UI design?▼

Throwaway prototyping is the practice of building quick interactive terminal apps or side-by-side interface variants to test ambiguous product questions. It validates logic models and UI concepts before production work begins, ensuring the final design decision is captured durably.

How do I generate multiple UI layout options for comparison?▼

To generate UI layout options, you create radically different interface variants side by side. This allows you to directly compare structure, hierarchy, and interaction patterns to determine which dashboard layout or UI concept works best for your needs.

Can I use terminal apps to explore business rules and edge cases?▼

Yes, you can build a tiny interactive terminal app to explore business rules and edge cases by hand. This provides clear state visibility and requires only a one-command runnable prototype to test whether your logic model is valid.

When should I use throwaway prototypes instead of production code?▼

Use throwaway prototypes when facing ambiguous product and engineering questions that benefit from interactive terminal exploration. If you are unsure whether a state machine is valid or need to compare layouts, prototyping makes the right design tradeoffs visible fast.

What are the limitations of using throwaway prototypes for UI design?▼

Throwaway prototypes are not production code; they are strictly for validating logic models, state transitions, and UI ideas. They require a one-command runnable prototype and clear state visibility, but do not replace the need for durable production implementation.