Design It Twice

When invoked with $ARGUMENTS, treat the argument as the design problem to explore. Do not assume a solution. Start from the problem statement and generate at least two fundamentally different approaches independently. If a design already exists in the conversation or codebase, do not anchor to it. Produce a clean, blind second attempt, then compare all approaches on concrete criteria.

This skill has two modes. Before a design exists, use it to generate and compare alternatives. After a design exists, use it to produce an independent second attempt that isn't anchored to the first. Either way, the first idea is unlikely to produce the best design, not because the designer isn't smart, but because the problems are genuinely hard.

When to Apply

• Before committing to a class, module, or API design
• When choosing between architectural approaches
• When an interface feels awkward but "good enough"
• When writing a design document or RFC
• When you catch yourself thinking "this is obviously the right way"

When NOT to Apply