# Prototype

> Build throwaway prototypes to validate a design before production code. Terminal state-machine for routing/cache/overload logic, or UI variants on one route. Use when prototyping, sanity-checking a state model, exploring routing policies, or saying "prototype this" / "let me play with it".

- Skill: `saddss/prototype` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add saddss/prototype`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/saddss/prototype/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- License: MIT
- Author: Saddss (https://skillmd.com/u/saddss)
- Updated: 2026-09-21
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/saddss/prototype

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> **Vendored from [mattpocock/skills](https://github.com/mattpocock/skills) under MIT.**

# Prototype

**Throwaway code that answers one question.** The question decides the shape.

## Pick a branch

- **Logic / state / routing policy?** → [LOGIC.md](LOGIC.md) — interactive terminal TUI over a pure reducer/state machine
- **Layout / UI?** → [UI.md](UI.md) — multiple variants on one route via `?variant=`

If ambiguous: backend/routing module → LOGIC; page/component → UI. State the assumption at the top.

## Rules (both branches)

1. **Clearly marked throwaway** — name/path says prototype; live near the real module
2. **One command to run** — `python …`, `pnpm …`, Makefile target
3. **No persistence by default** — in-memory unless persistence is the question
4. **No polish** — no tests, minimal error handling, no abstractions
5. **Surface state** — print/render full state after every action
6. **Delete or absorb** — capture answer in ADR/issue/NOTES.md, then delete shell

## When done

The **answer** is what you keep. For routing/cache work, fold the validated reducer/policy into production code; delete the TUI.

## Integration

| Before | After |
|--------|-------|
| `brainstorming`, `grill-with-docs` | Validated design |
| Prototype verdict | `writing-plans` or `to-issues` (inline decision snippets in issues OK) |
| Production impl | `executing-plans` + `tdd` |