Build the bones before you paint the skin.

Learning goal

Identify the minimal structure that could work.
Ship or test that first.
Add detail only after the skeleton is validated.

Why it matters

Polish before proof wastes time.
Skeleton first reduces risk.
Detail after validation is efficient.

Key idea

Skeleton first means building the minimal structure before adding detail. Build the bones before you paint the skin. Add detail only after the skeleton is validated.

Common mistakes

Polishing before proving.
Confusing skeleton with incomplete or shoddy work.
Never shipping the skeleton because it is not perfect.

Today's move

Identify one deliverable you are working on. Strip it to the skeleton: the minimum that could be tested. Ship or test that this week.

Self-check

You can explain the key idea in one sentence.
You have one concrete move to do today.