Individual skill
design-first
Guides the creation of technical design documents before writing code, producing architecture diagrams, data models, API interface definitions, implementation plans, and multi-option trade-off analyses. Use when the user asks to plan a feature, architect a system, design an API, explore implementation approaches, or requests a technical design or spec before coding — especially for complex features involving multiple components, ambiguous requirements, or significant architectural changes.
packages/core/src/methodology/packs/planning/design-first/SKILL.md
Source commit d2e5c346f73325c326820efd3188dcf2b6eb704f
What was checked
- Matches the observed repository HEAD
- Yes
- Scanner rules are current
- Yes
- Repository scan complete
- No
- Skill scan complete
- Yes
- Observed behavior
- Instructions only
- Last checked
- Nov 3, 2026
These are observations at the recorded commit, not a guarantee of safety. Review the source before running it.
Install this skill
Choose an agent in your Stack or copy a command below. Commands fetch the pinned commit and copy only this skill directory. Existing destinations are refused. Copying a command does not install anything.
An install command is unavailable: current rules, complete repository and skill scans, an eligible behavior level and a permitted license are required.
Repository context
- Repository stars (not skill ratings)
- 1,574
- Repository last updated
- Jun 2, 2026
- License
- Apache-2.0
Observed agent integration: No specific integration evidence. Standard SKILL.md installation does not imply verified compatibility.
- agent-skills Repository topic
- agentskills Repository topic
- ai Repository topic
- cli Repository topic
- codex Repository topic
- cursor Repository topic
- gemini Repository topic
- opencode Repository topic
- skills Repository topic
- planning Declared skill tag
- design Declared skill tag
- architecture Declared skill tag
- thinking Declared skill tag
- engineering Derived category
- design Derived category
- writing Derived category
- data Derived category
Files and excerpt
File metadata and permitted, redacted excerpts come from the recorded scan. Source links are pinned to that commit.
Browse files
SKILL.mdcore · 6,066 bytes
Read excerpt
# Design First Methodology
You are following a design-first approach. Before writing any code, design the solution.
## Core Principle
**Think first, code second.**
## When to Use Design First
Apply this methodology when:
- Building a new feature or component
- Making significant architectural changes