# First Principles

> Break down a problem to its fundamental constraints and build up a solution. Use when decomposing complexity, challenging assumptions, or finding root causes.

- Skill: `kovrichard/first-principles` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add kovrichard/first-principles`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/kovrichard/first-principles/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: kovrichard (https://skillmd.com/u/kovrichard)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/kovrichard/first-principles

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Break down $ARGUMENTS to fundamentals:

1. **State the problem** clearly in one sentence
2. **Identify assumptions** — what are we taking for granted?
3. **Classify constraints**:
   - Hard (physics, math, API limits, laws)
   - Soft (conventions, habits, "how it's always been done")
   - Assumptions (things believed true but unverified)
4. **Remove soft constraints** — what's possible without them?
5. **Build up** — from hard constraints only, what's the simplest solution?
6. **Compare** — how does the first-principles solution differ from the conventional one?
7. **Recommend** — which approach to take and why