Install
openclaw skills install first-principles-saclThis skill should be used when the user needs to solve complex problems using first principles thinking, break down problems to their fundamental truths, find creative solutions under constraints, or rethink problems from the ground up. Use when user asks about "第一性原理", "first principles", "本质思考", "拆解问题", "破局点", or when they need to overcome bottlenecks with limited resources.
openclaw skills install first-principles-saclThis skill provides a systematic thinking framework for deconstructing problems to their fundamental truths and reconstructing solutions under constraints. Based on the SACL (Strip-Atomize-Constraint-Leverage) methodology, it helps you find asymmetric advantages when facing resource limitations (time, money, skills).
Use this skill when:
问题输入 (Problem)
↓
[S] 剥离层 (Strip) → 去除类比/惯例/历史路径
↓
[A] 基元化 (Atomize) → 拆解到不可再分的物理/逻辑单元
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[C] 约束映射 (Constraint) → 区分硬约束 vs 软约束
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[L] 杠杆重构 (Leverage) → 用现有资源重新组合基元
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行动输出 (Action)
Purpose: Clear path dependencies and industry conventions
Self-Check Triad:
Tool: Write a "Taboo List" — list everything "everyone must do" in this industry, then cross each out and ask: "What happens if I don't do this?"
Purpose: Deconstruct until indivisible, but avoid over-decomposition (good enough is enough)
Atomic Unit Criteria:
Quick Decomposition Formula:
Input [X] → through [Y] → transforms to [Z], consuming [Resource W]
Example (SEO Problem):
Key Insight: Algorithm weight (Y) is just an intermediary. The truly indivisible element is the direct match X→Z — this explains why Reddit answers outperform official articles (bypass Y's cold start period).
Domain Atomic Units Reference:
| Domain | Atomic Units | Combination Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Energy, mass, information, spacetime, fundamental forces | Conservation laws, entropy increase, relativity constraints |
| Chemistry | Elements, chemical bonds, crystal defects | Electronegativity, orbital hybridization, thermodynamic equilibrium |
| Biology | DNA, cells, ATP, natural selection | Central dogma, dissipative structures, niche competition |
| Math | Sets, logic operations, functions, axioms | Associativity/distributivity, isomorphism, recursion |
| CS | Bits, Turing machines, logic gates, complexity | Turing completeness, information entropy, abstraction layers |
| Business | Transactions, trust, scarcity, time preference | Comparative advantage, marginal utility, network effects |
| Psychology | Perception, working memory (4±1 chunks), emotion, cognitive bias | Associative learning, reinforcement learning, cognitive dissonance |
| Sociology | Individuals, connections (strong/weak ties), consensus, power | Dunbar's number (150), structural holes, social identity |
Purpose: Distinguish "real obstacles" from "fake obstacles", turn real constraints into design parameters
Constraint Classification Table:
| Hard Constraints (Physical/Logical) | Soft Constraints (Resources/Conventions) | Pseudo-Constraints (Cognitive Myths) |
|---|---|---|
| Time irreversibility | Limited funds | "Must build own traffic" |
| Finite attention | Single skill | "Must use professional PR" |
| Light speed/bandwidth limits | Limited connections | "Must have authority before doing SEO" |
| Thermodynamics (2nd law) | Geographic location | "Content must be on my domain" |
| Google sandbox period (6-12 months) | Zero budget | "Must pay for ads to promote" |
Operation: Transform soft constraints into resource equations:
I have [A time] + [B skills] + [C existing assets], need to produce [D results]
Find: Non-linear leverage points — combinations where 20% resources yield 80% results
Purpose: Build asymmetric advantages within constraints using atomic units
Four Leverage Patterns:
Platform Parasitism (借势能)
Time Arbitrage (换时差)
Atomic Substitution (找等价物)
Constraint Flip (变限制为壁垒)
Before starting any problem-solving with first principles:
☐ Can I describe the minimum closed loop of this domain in one sentence?
Example: Business = Value Creation + Value Capture
☐ Are there mathematically inviolable theorems?
Example: Shannon limit in communication, Halting Problem in computation
☐ If all existing solutions were erased, which steps are absolutely essential to rebuild from stone age?
(Remove historical path dependencies)
☐ Which "common sense" elements are actually analogies/metaphors rather than atomic units?
Example: "Website authority" is analogy; "Eigenvector of link graph" is the atomic unit
This sub-problem is:
├── Temporarily don't know, but can learn?
│ → Create learning plan, set deadline
├── Already solved by others, can acquire?
│ → Purchase / Partner / Outsource
├── Truly unsolvable (physical/logical limits)?
│ → Return to upper layer, modify decomposition path or goal
└── Solution cost too high, not worthwhile?
→ Find alternative solutions or narrow problem scope
Match your available resources to strategy:
| Your Resource | Leverage Strategy | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Abundant time | Do depth, automation, long-term assets | Manual grunt work (e.g., 1000 forum posts) |
| Coding ability | Tools generate content/data for natural spread | Pure tech blogs (unless solving specific problems) |
| Strong writing | Write "answers" on platforms, "systems" on your site | Stack articles on low-traffic site waiting for visitors |
| Weak connections | Use "data/insights" as social currency instead of networking | Cold email asking for shares (no trust atomic unit) |
First principles doesn't make you omniscient — it makes you the optimal designer under specific constraints.
Your limitations ("can only write articles and build small tools") are not flaws — they are precisely defined design parameters. With these parameters, you can design solutions that large companies cannot replicate (because they have budgets and disdain for this kind of "time-for-space dirty work").
Problem: New website, no authority, zero budget, only time and coding skills
Running SACL Framework:
S (Strip):
A (Atomize):
C (Constraint Mapping):
L (Leverage Reconstruction):
Turn this framework into a template. When facing any difficult problem:
Key mindset: Knowing what you cannot do is equally important as knowing what you can do.