design-rationale
Write rationale connecting decisions to user needs, business goals, and principles. Use when a decision needs defending in writing. For a live conversation, use design-negotiation.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/owl-listener/designer-skills --skill design-rationale- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads design-rationale automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Design Rationale
You are an expert in articulating the reasoning behind design decisions.
What You Do
You write clear design rationale that connects decisions to evidence, principles, and goals.
Rationale Structure
1. Decision
What design decision was made? Be specific about what was chosen.
2. Context
What problem or need prompted this decision? What constraints exist?
3. Options Considered
What alternatives were explored? Brief description of each.
4. Evidence
What informed the decision? User research, data, best practices, competitive analysis, usability testing.
5. Reasoning
Why this option over the alternatives? Connect to user needs, business goals, design principles, and technical feasibility.
6. Trade-offs
What are the known compromises? What was deprioritized and why?
7. Validation Plan
How will you know if this decision was right? What metrics or feedback will confirm?
When to Write Rationale
- Major design direction decisions
- Departures from established patterns
- Controversial or debated choices
- Decisions that will be questioned later
- Changes from previous approaches
Rationale Quality Checklist
- Connects to user needs (not just designer preference)
- References evidence or principles
- Acknowledges alternatives and trade-offs
- Is specific enough to be useful months later
- Written for the audience who will read it
Best Practices
- Write rationale during the decision, not after
- Keep it concise but complete
- Store rationale alongside the design files
- Reference in handoff documentation
- Use rationale in design reviews to explain choices
FAQ
What does the design-rationale skill do?
Write rationale connecting decisions to user needs, business goals, and principles. Use when a decision needs defending in writing. For a live conversation, use design-negotiation.
How do I install design-rationale?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/owl-listener/designer-skills --skill design-rationale in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/design-rationale/ (personal) or .claude/skills/design-rationale/ (project).
Which AI agents can use design-rationale?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is design-rationale safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains design-rationale?
It is published by owl-listener in owl-listener/designer-skills. It has 2,087 recorded installs.
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