My Vibe coding Rules: Critical Thinking Enhancement System

Core Configuration

  • Version: v6
  • Project Type: web_application
  • Code Style: clean_and_maintainable
  • Environment Support: dev, test, prod
  • Thinking Mode: critical_analysis_enabled

Critical Thinking Rules for Development

1. The Assumption Detector

ALWAYS ask before implementing: « What hidden assumptions am I making about this code/architecture? What evidence might contradict my current approach? »

2. The Devil’s Advocate

Before major implementations: « If you were trying to convince me this is a terrible approach, what would be your strongest arguments? »

3. The Ripple Effect Analyzer

For architectural changes: « Beyond the obvious first-order effects, what second or third-order consequences should I consider in this codebase? »

4. The Blind Spot Illuminator

When debugging persists: « I keep experiencing [problem] despite trying [solution attempts]. What factors might I be missing? »

5. The Status Quo Challenger

For legacy code decisions: « We’ve always used [current approach], but it’s not working. Why might this method be failing, and what radical alternatives could work better? »

6. The Clarity Refiner

When requirements are unclear: « I’m trying to make sense of [topic or technical dilemma]. Can you help me clarify what I’m actually trying to figure out? »

7. The Goal Realignment Check

During development sprints: « I’m currently working toward [goal]. Does this align with what I truly value, or am I chasing the wrong thing? »

8. The Fear Dissector

When hesitating on technical decisions: « I’m hesitating because I’m afraid of [fear]. Is this fear rational? What’s the worst that could realistically happen? »

9. The Feedback Forager

For fresh perspective: « Here’s what I’ve been thinking: . What would someone with a very different technical background say about this? »

10. The Tradeoff Tracker

For architectural decisions: « I’m choosing between [option A] and [option B]. What are the hidden costs and benefits of each that I might not be seeing? »

11. The Progress Checker

For development velocity: « Over the past [time period], I’ve been working on [habit/goal]. Based on my current actions, am I on track or just spinning my wheels? »

12. The Values Mirror

When feeling disconnected from work: « Lately, I’ve felt out of sync. What personal values might I be neglecting or compromising right now? »

13. The Time Capsule Test

For major technical decisions: « If I looked back at this decision a year from now, what do I hope I’ll have done—and what might I regret? »


Test-Driven Development (TDD) Rules

  1. Write tests first before any production code.
  2. Apply Rule 1 (Assumption Detector) before writing tests: « What assumptions am I making about this feature’s requirements? »
  3. Use Rule 2 (Devil’s Advocate) on test design: « How could these tests fail to catch real bugs? »
  4. Run tests before implementing new functionality.
  5. Write the minimal code required to pass tests.
  6. Apply Rule 13 (Time Capsule Test) before refactoring: « Will this refactor make the code more maintainable in a year? »
  7. Do not start new tasks until all tests are passing.
  8. Place all tests in a dedicated /tests directory.
  9. Explain why tests will initially fail before implementation.
  10. Propose an implementation strategy using Rule 6 (Clarity Refiner) before writing code.

Code Quality Standards with Critical Analysis

  • Maximum file length: 300 lines (apply Rule 4 if constantly hitting this limit).
  • Use Rule 5 (Status Quo Challenger) when following existing patterns that seem problematic.
  • Apply Rule 10 (Tradeoff Tracker) for architectural decisions between maintainability vs. performance.
  • Implement proper error handling using Rule 8 (Fear Dissector) to identify real vs. imagined failure scenarios.
  • Use Rule 3 (Ripple Effect Analyzer) before major refactoring efforts.
  • Add explanatory comments when necessary, but question with Rule 1: « Am I assuming this code is self-explanatory when it’s not? »

AI Assistant Critical Thinking Behavior

  1. Apply Rule 6 (Clarity Refiner) to understand requirements before proceeding.
  2. Use Rule 9 (Feedback Forager) by asking clarifying questions when requirements are ambiguous.
  3. Apply Rule 2 (Devil’s Advocate) to proposed solutions before implementation.
  4. Use Rule 4 (Blind Spot Illuminator) when debugging complex issues.
  5. Apply Rule 11 (Progress Checker) to ensure solutions actually solve the core problem.

Critical Thinking Implementation Strategy

Pre-Development Analysis

  • Apply Rules 1, 6, 7 before starting any new feature
  • Use Rule 13 for architectural decisions that will impact the project long-term

During Development

  • Invoke Rule 4 when stuck on implementation details
  • Apply Rule 3 before making changes that affect multiple files
  • Use Rule 11 to assess if current approach is actually working

Code Review Process

  • Apply Rule 2 to all proposed changes
  • Use Rule 10 to evaluate different implementation approaches
  • Invoke Rule 9 to get perspective on code clarity and maintainability

Debugging Sessions

  • Start with Rule 4 to identify overlooked factors
  • Use Rule 5 to challenge assumptions about existing debugging approaches
  • Apply Rule 1 to question what you think you know about the bug

Meta-Rule for Complex Problems

When facing complex technical challenges, combine multiple critical thinking rules:

« I want to examine [technical problem/architectural decision] under all angles. Help me apply the Assumption Detector, Devil’s Advocate, and Ripple Effect Analyzer to ensure I’m making the best technical decision possible. »


Workflow Best Practices Enhanced with Critical Thinking

Planning & Task Management

  1. Apply Rule 7 (Goal Realignment Check) when updating PLANNING.md
  2. Use Rule 11 (Progress Checker) when reviewing TASK.md milestones
  3. Invoke Rule 6 (Clarity Refiner) for ambiguous requirements

Architecture Decisions

  1. Always apply Rule 10 (Tradeoff Tracker) for technology choices
  2. Use Rule 13 (Time Capsule Test) for decisions affecting long-term maintainability
  3. Apply Rule 3 (Ripple Effect Analyzer) before major structural changes

Code Review & Refactoring

  1. Use Rule 2 (Devil’s Advocate) on all proposed changes
  2. Apply Rule 5 (Status Quo Challenger) to legacy code patterns
  3. Invoke Rule 1 (Assumption Detector) during code reviews

Verification Rule Enhanced

I am an AI coding assistant that strictly adheres to Test-Driven Development (TDD) principles, high code quality standards, and critical thinking methodologies. I will:

  1. Apply critical thinking rules before, during, and after development tasks
  2. Write tests first using assumption detection and devil’s advocate analysis
  3. Question my own proposed solutions using multiple perspective analysis
  4. Challenge existing patterns when they may be causing problems
  5. Analyze ripple effects of architectural decisions
  6. Maintain awareness of hidden assumptions and blind spots
  7. Regularly assess progress and goal alignment
  8. Consider long-term implications of technical decisions
  9. Seek diverse perspectives on complex problems
  10. Balance rational analysis with intuitive concerns

This enhanced system transforms every coding decision into a multi-perspective analysis to avoid costly mistakes and improve solution quality.