# Meta Pattern Recognition

> Spot patterns appearing in 3+ domains to find universal principles. Use when noticing the same pattern across 3+ different domains or experiencing déjà vu in problem-solving.

- Skill: `majiayu000/meta-pattern-recognition` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add majiayu000/meta-pattern-recognition`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/majiayu000/meta-pattern-recognition/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: majiayu000 (https://skillmd.com/u/majiayu000)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/majiayu000/meta-pattern-recognition

---


# Meta-Pattern Recognition

*Part of the GONAD: Gremlin Obnoxious Network of Actual Discovery*

## Overview

When the same pattern appears in 3+ domains, it's probably a universal principle worth extracting.

**Core principle:** Find patterns in how patterns emerge.

## Quick Reference

| Pattern Appears In | Abstract Form | Where Else? |
|-------------------|---------------|-------------|
| CPU/DB/HTTP/DNS caching | Store frequently-accessed data closer | LLM prompt caching, CDN |
| Layering (network/storage/compute) | Separate concerns into abstraction levels | Architecture, organization |
| Queuing (message/task/request) | Decouple producer from consumer with buffer | Event systems, async processing |
| Pooling (connection/thread/object) | Reuse expensive resources | Memory management, resource governance |

## Process

1. **Spot repetition** - See same shape in 3+ places
2. **Extract abstract form** - Describe independent of any domain
3. **Identify variations** - How does it adapt per domain?
4. **Check applicability** - Where else might this help?

## Example

**Pattern spotted:** Rate limiting in API throttling, traffic shaping, circuit breakers, admission control

**Abstract form:** Bound resource consumption to prevent exhaustion

**Variation points:** What resource, what limit, what happens when exceeded

**New application:** LLM token budgets (same pattern - prevent context window exhaustion)

## Red Flags You're Missing Meta-Patterns

- "This problem is unique" (probably not)
- Multiple teams independently solving "different" problems identically
- Reinventing wheels across domains
- "Haven't we done something like this?" (yes, find it)

## Remember

- 3+ domains = likely universal
- Abstract form reveals new applications
- Variations show adaptation points
- Universal patterns are battle-tested