Context Minimization Principle

Software design is for modification.

Correct modification requires sufficient context.

Good design makes that context cheaper to acquire.

Start here

  1. The Root Essay

    Why software design should be evaluated by the cost of acquiring sufficient context.

  2. Depth and Breadth

    How context distance and context surface area shape modification difficulty.

    Planned
  3. Design Principles as Context Operators

    Reframing design principles as operators that reduce context acquisition cost.

    Planned
  4. AI Agents and Observable Context

    What AI-assisted engineering reveals about hidden context and system legibility.

    Planned
  5. Context Footprint

    Toward practical measurement for modification context in real codebases.

    Planned