researching-before-coding

Verify external libraries and APIs against official documentation before coding.

3|Updated Dec 31, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/andredezzy/maccing --skill researching-before-coding
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Skill: researching-before-coding
Source: https://github.com/andredezzy/maccing/tree/main/skills/engineering/researching-before-coding
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/andredezzy/maccing --skill researching-before-coding

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps developers avoid writing broken code by ensuring they have the most up-to-date information about external libraries, APIs, frameworks, or tools before coding.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Verify External Sources: Before coding, verify API shapes, versions, breaking changes, and deprecations against official docs, repositories, and registries.
  • Research Before Fixing: Understand the underlying cause of errors and incompatibilities to make informed fixes.
  • Diagnose Before Prescribing: Read error messages and search for root causes before proposing solutions.
  • Enumerate Design Dimensions: Before presenting designs, explicitly mark each dimension as fully specified, not applicable, or deferred.
  • Use the Verify-First Recipe: Follow a structured process to ensure code reliability before touching an external surface.

Quick Start

Before writing code against an external library, run the verify-first recipe: name the version installed, fetch the matching docs, note changes, and then write.

Frequently Asked Questions about researching-before-coding

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I verify external library APIs before writing code?

To verify external library APIs before coding, name the installed version, fetch the matching official docs, note any breaking changes or deprecations, and only then write code. This structured verify-first recipe ensures code reliability against external surfaces.

Why should I research API documentation before fixing code errors?

Researching API documentation before fixing code errors helps you understand the underlying root cause of incompatibilities and deprecations. Diagnosing the actual issue against official docs ensures you apply an informed fix rather than patching symptoms blindly.

What is the best way to enumerate design dimensions for software presentations?

The best way to enumerate design dimensions for software presentations is to explicitly mark each dimension as fully specified, not applicable, or deferred. This verification process clarifies design boundaries before introducing external mechanisms.

When do I need to check for breaking changes and deprecations in external libraries?

You need to check for breaking changes and deprecations in external libraries whenever you write code against an external surface, fix errors, or present designs. Verifying versions against registries and repositories prevents broken implementations.

Does verifying API shapes against official docs prevent code reliability issues?

Verifying API shapes against official docs prevents code reliability issues by confirming that expected external library versions, structures, and mechanisms are accurate. Fetching matching documentation eliminates assumptions before touching external surfaces.