first-principles-thinking
Break down problems to fundamental truths. Use when conventional solutions fail, you need innovation, or want to challenge assumptions. Not for standard problems with known solutions or minor optimizations.
npx skills add majiayu000/claude-skill-registry --skill first-principles-thinking-git-fg-meta-plugin-manager --agent claude-code
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for codex, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
# First Principles Thinking Break down complex problems to their fundamental truths and rebuild from scratch. Strip away assumptions and existing solutions to find root causes and innovative approaches. ## Core Pattern Apply first principles reasoning in four steps: ``` 1. DEFINE → Problem Statement 2. STRIP → Assumptions 3. TRUTH → Fundamental Truths 4. REBUILD → Novel Solutions ``` ## When to Use Use this thinking methodology when: - Stuck with conventional solutions that don't work - Need to innovate beyond existing approaches - Problem seems unsolvable with current methods - Want to understand the root nature of a problem - Challenging industry assumptions **Recognition test:** "Would first principles help here?" If conventional approaches have failed, strip to fundamentals. ## Step-by-Step Process ### Step 1: Define the Problem Clearly state what you're trying to solve: ``` **Problem Statement:** [What is the core issue or challenge?] ``` **Example**: "How do we reduce the cost of space travel?" ### Step 2: Strip Assumptions List all assumptions and existing "solutions": ``` **Current Assumptions:** - [Assumption 1] - [Assumption 2] - [Existing solution 1] - [Industry standard
- Core Pattern
- When to Use
- Step-by-Step Process
- Step 1: Define the Problem
- Step 2: Strip Assumptions
- Step 3: Find Fundamental Truths
- Step 4: Rebuild from Fundamentals
- Application Examples
- Example 1: Software Architecture
- Example 2: Product Feature
- Example 3: Team Process
- Output Format
- Recognition Questions
- Common Mistakes
What does the first-principles-thinking skill do?
Break down problems to fundamental truths. Use when conventional solutions fail, you need innovation, or want to challenge assumptions. Not for standard problems with known solutions or minor optimizations.
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add majiayu000/claude-skill-registry --skill first-principles-thinking-git-fg-meta-plugin-manager --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From majiayu000/claude-skill-registry, a repository with 534 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.