Documentation Index
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First Principles Mode: Think From the Ground Up
Quick Answer: First Principles mode breaks your question down to fundamental truths before building up to conclusions. Instead of accepting conventional answers, the AIs challenge the foundational assumptions behind your question.
What You’ll Learn
- What First Principles mode does
- How it differs from Sequential mode
- When to use it
- How to get the best results
What It Does
In most conversations, AIs build on existing knowledge and conventional thinking. First Principles mode takes the opposite approach. Each AI challenges the foundational assumptions behind your question. Instead of answering “How should I price my SaaS?” with standard pricing frameworks, the AIs first ask: What must be true about your cost structure? What does the customer actually value? Why does pricing work the way it does in your market? The result is analysis that starts from the ground up rather than from received wisdom.How It Differs from Sequential
| Sequential | First Principles | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Each AI builds on previous answers | Each AI challenges foundational assumptions |
| Starting point | Existing knowledge and frameworks | Fundamental truths and first causes |
| Output | Compounding perspectives | Deconstructed reasoning rebuilt from scratch |
| Best for | Research, thorough analysis | Innovation, strategy, “why do we do it this way?” |
When to Use It
- Complex problems where conventional thinking might be leading you astray
- Strategy decisions where you need to question the assumptions behind your current approach
- Innovation challenges where existing frameworks feel limiting
- “Why do we do it this way?” questions where the goal is to rethink, not just improve
- Pricing, positioning, and business model decisions where industry norms may not apply to your situation
When NOT to Use It
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| You need a quick answer | Super Mind |
| You want to build on multiple perspectives | Sequential |
| You want arguments for and against | Debate |
| You want to stress-test an existing idea | Red Team |
| You need a specific AI’s expertise | Targeted (@mention) |
How to Select It
Choose First Principles from the mode selector in the chat settings area, above the message input.Availability
First Principles mode is available on Pro and above.Tips
- First Principles works best when you bring a question you think you already know the answer to. The value is in discovering that your assumptions might be wrong.
- After a First Principles session, try switching to Sequential for a follow-up round. The combination of deconstructed thinking plus compounding analysis is powerful.
- Don’t use First Principles for simple factual questions. “What’s the GDP of France?” doesn’t need assumption-challenging. “Should we expand into France?” does.
- The first round may feel slower or more abstract than Sequential. That’s by design. The insights come from questioning the questions, not just answering them.