Throwaway Prototype Brief skill for Claude and Codex

Throwaway Prototype Brief as an AI skill. It asks for Design question, Options being compared, Time box and 2 more, then does the rest. Free to install in…

Install it once and Claude or Codex runs it for you. When your request matches, your AI loads the skill, asks for anything it is missing, and works through the template itself. Prefer to fill it in by hand? See the full prompt template.

Download the skill (.zip) · View SKILL.md

When it is used

Use when a design or technical question needs a quick disposable prototype with a clear measure and a delete plan. Do not use for building the real feature or writing production-quality code. Related topics: coding, product.

What it will ask you for

• Design question (longer free text)
• Options being compared (longer free text)
• Time box (choose one: Half a day, One day, Three days)
• Stack for the prototype (free text, e.g. "Language and tools")
• Success signal (free text, e.g. "What result would settle the question")

How it works

1. Reduce the design question to one answerable question, splitting off and parking the rest.
2. State what the prototype will deliberately skip and what it must include to answer the question.
3. Define the measurements, their method and the result that would decide between options.
4. Plan build steps that reach the first measurement early and set a kill rule at the time box.
5. Write the findings format and the delete list, including branches and credentials.

What you get

A one-page brief with question, scope in and out, measurements, steps, kill rule, findings format and a delete checklist.

What it watches out for

• Letting the prototype grow into the product, so shortcuts become permanent.
• Measuring nothing specific, which leaves the team arguing from impressions.
• Forgetting to delete the temporary services and credentials.

How to install

Claude.ai and the Claude desktop app

1. Download the skill .zip.
2. Open Settings, then Capabilities, and find Skills.
3. Choose Upload skill and select the .zip.
4. Ask Claude for help with the task. It loads the skill when your request matches.

Claude Code

1. Download the skill .zip.
2. Unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ (or .claude/skills/ inside a project).
3. Start a new session. Claude Code loads the skill when your request matches.

Codex

1. Download the skill .zip.
2. Unzip it into ~/.agents/skills/ (or .agents/skills/ inside a project).
3. Codex picks it up on its own. Type $ and the skill name to use it, or just ask for the task.

Cursor

1. Download the Cursor rule (.mdc).
2. Save it in .cursor/rules/ inside your project.
3. Cursor's agent applies the rule when your request matches its description.

AGENTS.md (Codex, Cursor, and other coding agents)

1. Copy the AGENTS.md section.
2. Paste it into AGENTS.md at the root of your repository, creating the file if needed.
3. Coding agents that read AGENTS.md follow it when your request fits.