---
name: FirstPrinciples
pack-id: pai-firstprinciples-v1.0.0
version: 1.0.0
author: danielmiessler
description: Physics-based reasoning framework (Musk/Elon methodology) that deconstructs problems to irreducible fundamental truths rather than reasoning by analogy. Three-step structure: DECONSTRUCT (break to constituent parts and actual values), CHALLENGE (classify every element as hard constraint / soft constraint / unvalidated assumption — only physics is truly immutable), RECONSTRUCT (build optimal solution from fundamentals alone, ignoring inherited form). Outputs: constituent-parts breakdown, constraint classification table, and reconstructed solution with key insight. Three workflows: Deconstruct.md, Challenge.md, Reconstruct.md. Integrates with RedTeam (attack assumptions before deploying adversarial agents), Security (decompose threat model), Architecture (challenge design constraints), and Pentesters (decompose assumed security boundaries). Other skills invoke via: Challenge on all stated constraints → classify as hard/soft/assumption. Cross-domain synthesis: solutions from unrelated fields often apply once the fundamental truths are exposed.
type: skill
platform: claude-code
source: PAI v5.0.0
---
Physics-based reasoning framework (Musk/Elon methodology) that deconstructs problems to irreducible fundamental truths rather than reasoning by analogy. Three-step structure: DECONSTRUCT (break to constituent parts and actual values), CHALLENGE (classify every element as hard constraint / soft constraint / unvalidated assumption — only physics is truly immutable), RECONSTRUCT (build optimal solution from fundamentals alone, ignoring inherited form). Outputs: constituent-parts breakdown, constraint classification table, and reconstructed solution with key insight. Three workflows: Deconstruct.md, Challenge.md, Reconstruct.md. Integrates with RedTeam (attack assumptions before deploying adversarial agents), Security (decompose threat model), Architecture (challenge design constraints), and Pentesters (decompose assumed security boundaries). Other skills invoke via: Challenge on all stated constraints → classify as hard/soft/assumption. Cross-domain synthesis: solutions from unrelated fields often apply once the fundamental truths are exposed.
This pack is designed for AI-assisted installation. Point your AI at this directory and ask it to install using INSTALL.md.
"Install the FirstPrinciples pack from PAI/Packs/FirstPrinciples/"
Your AI walks through a 5-phase wizard: system analysis, user questions, backup, installation, verification.
SKILL.md
Workflows
The full skill source lives under src/. Read src/SKILL.md for detailed capabilities, workflows, and usage.
Built from the PAI v5.0.0 release skill at Releases/v5.0.0/.claude/skills/FirstPrinciples/.
MIT — see PAI LICENSE.