core practice · system design prompt
Design exercise: IDE & CLI Tooling
Language servers, editor protocols, terminal UX, diagnostics, completions, commands, configuration, and automation. Implement designOutline() returning non-empty values for: protocol, feedbackLoop, automationContract. Each value must name a concrete mechanism or decision.
The mechanism
Good developer tools expose a stable core through both structured APIs and human interfaces. Fast feedback, composability, discoverability, and predictable exit behavior matter.
Expected evidence
A design outline with protocol, feedbackLoop, automationContract plus an explicit failure mode or trade-off.
Try this drill in the practice workspace →
Hints when you need them
- Name the failure mode before selecting the mechanism.