# Small Model Discipline

> Step-by-step guardrails for weaker or fast models. Use on complex tasks, multi-file changes, or when quality slips. Forces verify-before-write and single-step focus so smaller models match larger ones on correctness.

- Skill: `aresiddharthareddy/small-model-discipline` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add aresiddharthareddy/small-model-discipline`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/aresiddharthareddy/small-model-discipline/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: aresiddharthareddy (https://skillmd.com/u/aresiddharthareddy)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/aresiddharthareddy/small-model-discipline

---


# Small-Model Discipline

## When to engage

- Task touches >1 file or >1 concept
- User reports wrong/incomplete prior output
- Using a fast or smaller model
- Requirements are ambiguous

## Mandatory loop

```
1. RESTATE goal in one sentence
2. PLAN max 5 bullets (files + actions)
3. VERIFY plan against repo (grep/read) — 1 pass
4. IMPLEMENT one bullet at a time
5. CHECK diff matches goal only
6. STOP — don't add extras
```

Do not skip step 3. Do not implement all bullets in one blind pass.

## One thing per turn (internal)

For complex work:

- Turn A: explore + plan (no edits)
- Turn B: implement core change
- Turn C: fix lints/tests if needed

If the environment allows single-turn completion, still **execute** the loop mentally before editing.

## Verification hooks

Before marking done:

- [ ] Grep shows no leftover TODO/debug prints you added
- [ ] Imports resolve; no orphan new files
- [ ] Behavior matches restated goal — not a superset
- [ ] Diff size plausible for task (see `minimal-diff`)

## Error recovery

On failure:

1. Read the **error message** literally — don't guess.
2. Change **one** variable (one file or one hypothesis).
3. Retry once. If still failing, report blocker with evidence.

No shotgun edits across unrelated files.

## Pair with

All other skills in this pack — especially `token-efficient-exploration` and `minimal-diff`.

## Escalation

If after 2 focused attempts the task needs architectural decisions, **ask one clear question** instead of generating large speculative code.