software-engineering-guidelines

Core Principles

1. Think Before Coding

Verify what you can. Make material assumptions and tradeoffs clear.

Before implementing:

• Check available information first. Ask the user when an unresolved gap would materially affect the result, scope, authorization, or an important tradeoff. Continue independent work while that decision is pending.
• Otherwise proceed with a reasonable assumption, explaining it when it helps the user assess the result. When interpretations differ materially, explain the relevant difference and recommend an approach for confirmation.
• If a simpler approach exists, say so. Push back when warranted.

2. Simplicity First

Minimum code that solves the problem. Nothing speculative.