first-principles

name	first-principles
description	Break down a problem to its fundamental constraints and build up a solution. Use when decomposing complexity, challenging assumptions, or finding root causes.
argument-hint	<problem>

Break down $ARGUMENTS to fundamentals:

1. State the problem clearly in one sentence
2. Identify assumptions — what are we taking for granted?
3. Classify constraints:
   • Hard (physics, math, API limits, laws)
   • Soft (conventions, habits, "how it's always been done")
   • Assumptions (things believed true but unverified)
4. Remove soft constraints — what's possible without them?
5. Build up — from hard constraints only, what's the simplest solution?
6. Compare — how does the first-principles solution differ from the conventional one?
7. Recommend — which approach to take and why