Dec 17, 2025December 17, 2025-Beginner-25 min·v1

First Principles for AI-Assisted Work

Universal frameworks for any AI tool: 5-Step Algorithm, First Principles, Five Perspectives. Master once, apply everywhere.

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Introduction

Part 1 of 4: AI-Assisted Development Series

This is the foundation of a 4-part series. These universal principles apply to any AI tool—master them before moving to tool specifics in Parts 2, 3, and 4.

What you'll learn

25 min

Understand how ALL AI assistants work: context windows, memory illusion, session resets
Apply the 5-Step Algorithm: Question → Delete → Simplify → Accelerate → Automate LAST
Use First Principles thinking to solve any complex problem
Evaluate decisions through Five Perspectives: Performance, Security, Scalability, Observability, Experience
Configure Proactive Mode and apply the Feynman Technique

Prerequisites

beginner

•Used any AI chat before (ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, etc.)
•Curious about thinking frameworks
•No coding required

This tutorial teaches universal principles—frameworks that work with any AI tool, any domain, any problem. These aren't Claude-specific tricks. They're mental models used by high-velocity teams at SpaceX, Tesla, Stripe, and Linear.

Why Principles First

Tools change. Frameworks endure. ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot—they all work differently on the surface but share the same fundamentals. Master the principles once, apply them to any tool forever.

Who This Is For

Anyone using AI assistants: developers, product managers, designers, researchers, writers. The examples span domains because these frameworks span domains. If you work with AI, these principles apply to you.

By the end of this tutorial, you'll have a mental toolkit that transfers across tools, roles, and problems. Part 2 applies these specifically to Claude Code—but Part 1 stands alone.

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First Principles for AI-Assisted Work

Introduction

Introduction

What you'll learn

Prerequisites

Table of Contents

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