reasoning-first-principles
First principles reasoning and optimization methodology. Applies the Idiot Index, requirement questioning, and 5-step optimization process (question, delete, simplify, accelerate, automate). Triggers on problem-solving, decision-making, evaluating requirements, planning features, how should we approach, help me think through, what is the best way to.
Profile →npx skills add majiayu000/claude-skill-registry --skill reasoning --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.
**REQUIRED: Activate UltraThink mode before proceeding.** # First Principles Reasoning **Core belief:** Most complexity is accumulated cruft, not necessity. Question everything. ## The Three Models ### 1. The Idiot Index ``` Idiot Index = Cost of Finished Product / Cost of Raw Materials ``` High ratio = hidden inefficiency. Ask: "Why does this cost 10x the materials?" Apply to: time, money, complexity, code, process. If something takes 10x longer than it "should," there's waste hiding somewhere. **Example:** A feature takes 2 weeks. The actual code is 50 lines. Where did the other 9.5 days go? Meetings? Unclear requirements? Waiting? Find it. ### 2. First Principles Decomposition **Not:** "How has this been done before?" **Instead:** "What is actually true? What's possible from there?" Process: 1. Identify the fundamental truths (physics, constraints, actual requirements) 2. Ignore how it's "normally done" 3. Reason up from the fundamentals **Example:** - Convention: "We need a CRM integration" - First principles: "We need to know when a lead's status changes" - Reframe: Maybe a webhook, maybe polling, maybe the CRM isn't even needed ### 3. The Algorithm (5-Step Optimization) Execu
- The Three Models
- 1. The Idiot Index
- 2. First Principles Decomposition
- 3. The Algorithm (5-Step Optimization)
- Deep Dives
- Application Framework
- Anti-Patterns
- The Meta-Rule
- Red Team Checkpoint (After Planning)
What does the reasoning-first-principles skill do?
First principles reasoning and optimization methodology. Applies the Idiot Index, requirement questioning, and 5-step optimization process (question, delete, simplify, accelerate, automate). Triggers on problem-solving, decision-making, evaluating requirements, planning features, how should we approach, help me think through, what is the best way to.
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add majiayu000/claude-skill-registry --skill reasoning --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.