# Minimal Implementation

> Run before implementation to record minimal necessary approach using Harness Decision Ladder.

- Skill: `yezhwi/minimal-implementation` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add yezhwi/minimal-implementation`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/yezhwi/minimal-implementation/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: yezhwi (https://skillmd.com/u/yezhwi)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/yezhwi/minimal-implementation

---


# Minimal Implementation Check

Run in `PLANNED`, before `IMPLEMENTING`. Do not implement code.

Read `.harness/current-task.yaml`, requirements, invariants, design/plan, and dependency manifest. Answer ladder in order:

1. Does capability need to exist?
2. Does equivalent repository capability exist?
3. Can stdlib solve it?
4. Can platform-native capability solve it?
5. Can installed dependency solve it?
6. Can small local implementation solve it?
7. Only then choose new abstraction.

Search repository before creation. First `found` short-circuits later checks: write `checked: false, result: skipped`. Requirement/invariant-required security, audit, compatibility, migration, accessibility, NFR, and trust-boundary complexity remains necessary.

Write YAML matching `schemas/minimal-implementation.schema.json`, then run:

```bash
harness check minimal --file /path/to/decision.yaml
```

Do not transition to `IMPLEMENTING` until command succeeds.