five-step-method-skill

Name: five-step-method-skill
Author: agidesigner

agidesigner April 6, 2026

4 copies 0 downloads

AI agent skill that teaches "question → delete → simplify → accelerate → automate" before acting. Works with Claude Code, OpenClaw, Codex, Cursor, and more.

Agent Definition

# Five-Step Work Method

[![npm version](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/five-step-method.svg?color=cb3837&logo=npm&logoColor=white)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/five-step-method)
[![npm downloads](https://img.shields.io/npm/dm/five-step-method.svg?color=cb3837)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/five-step-method)
[![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-MIT-blue.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
[![GitHub stars](https://img.shields.io/github/stars/agidesigner/five-step-method-skill?style=social)](https://github.com/agidesigner/five-step-method-skill/stargazers)

> If this skill helps your AI agents make better decisions, **give it a ⭐ on [GitHub](https://github.com/agidesigner/five-step-method-skill)** — every star helps another team avoid over-engineering and scope creep.

An engineering decision framework for AI coding agents, based on Elon Musk's five-step methodology. Battle-tested through a real production deployment cycle.

## What It Does

Teaches AI agents to **evaluate requirements before acting** — whether writing code, making product decisions, planning strategy, or designing processes. Prevents the most common failure: solving problems that don't exist, or solving real problems with unnecessary complexity.

## The Five Steps

1. **Question** — Is this actually needed?
2. **Delete** — Remove what shouldn't exist
3. **Simplify** — Find the minimum reliable solution
4. **Accelerate** — Speed up what remains
5. **Automate** — Only automate validated processes

Most decisions end at Step 3.

## Install

### Quick install (recommended) — one command

Auto-detects which AI agents you have and installs the skill into the right place. No clone, no manual file copying.

```bash
npx five-step-method
```

Want to target a specific agent only?

```bash
npx five-step-method claude-code   # → ~/.cursor/skills/five-step-method
npx five-step-method cursor        # → ./.cursor/rules/five-step-method.md
npx five-step-method windsurf      # → ./.windsurfru

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