Exploring Alternatives

What problem does it solve?

This Skill prevents developers from settling for suboptimal solutions by forcing a systematic comparison of multiple design approaches. It reduces the risk of costly rework, ensures the chosen solution is truly the best fit, and avoids emotional attachment to the first idea.

Core Features & Use Cases

• Multi-Approach Generation: Guides you to brainstorm and sketch 2-3 distinct solutions (e.g., different algorithms, data structures, or abstraction levels) before coding.
• Trade-off Analysis: Systematically compares alternatives based on criteria like simplicity, performance, maintainability, and testability to make an informed decision.
• Informed Decision-Making: Ensures the final implementation is based on a conscious choice, not just the first idea that comes to mind.
• Use Case: Before implementing a user validation system, use this skill to explore manual validation, a library-based approach (like Pydantic), and a custom validator class, comparing their pros and cons before writing any code.

Quick Start

I need to implement a feature to process a list of items. Guide me through exploring at least two alternative approaches (e.g., different data structures or algorithms) in pseudocode, and help me compare their trade-offs.