A vocabulary for shaping interfaces with AI https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/ 2026-05-21T17:49:23+00:00 https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/ https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=wiki:logo.png text/html 2026-05-19T13:52:04+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:cleaning_up_after_ai&rev=1779198724&do=diff 05. When AI Suggests a Refactor (How to Decide What to Accept) How we evaluate AI’s ideas with clarity, structure, and architectural intent —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code AI is generous with refactoring suggestions. text/html 2026-05-19T13:54:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_ai_sees_code_and_what_it_cannot_see&rev=1779198894&do=diff 02. How AI Sees Code (and What It Cannot See) Understanding the limits of AI’s perception so we can guide it safely —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code When we work with existing code, the first question before 'asking AI for changes' text/html 2026-05-19T13:36:42+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_bring_ai_back_from_generalizing&rev=1779197802&do=diff 19. When AI Overgeneralizes (How to Bring the Work Back to the Specific) How we prevent AI from drifting into abstractions — and return the work to the concrete situation in front of us —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code text/html 2026-05-19T13:38:09+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_bring_clarity_when_ai_over-explains&rev=1779197889&do=diff 16. When AI Over‑Explains (How to Bring the Work Back to Clarity) How we reduce noise when AI turns a simple request into a lecture —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code AI does not know what level of detail we need. text/html 2026-05-19T13:41:33+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_correct_when_ai_misunderstands_a_pattern&rev=1779198093&do=diff 11. When AI Misunderstands a Pattern (How to Correct the Shape and Preserve the Intent) How we help AI see not just the shape of a pattern, but the purpose behind it —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code AI recognizes patterns. text/html 2026-05-19T13:51:27+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_guide_ai_toward_minimal_changes&rev=1779198687&do=diff 06. Safe Refactoring — How to Guide AI Toward Minimal, Predictable Changes How to shape 'AI’s refactoring' so it strengthens the system without drifting beyond the task —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code AI is capable of 'sweeping refactors'. text/html 2026-05-19T13:22:13+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_aligned_with_the_context_of_change&rev=1779196933&do=diff 35. When AI Misreads the Context of the Change (How to Keep the Work Aligned With the Situation Around It) How we prevent AI from proposing changes that ignore the surrounding circumstances — and keep the work aligned with the real situation in which the change is happening text/html 2026-05-19T13:22:55+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_aligned_with_what_the_code_is_for&rev=1779196975&do=diff 32. When AI Misreads the Intent of the Code (How to Keep the Work Aligned With What the Code Is For) How we prevent AI from rewriting code without understanding its purpose — and keep the work aligned with what the code is meant to do Overview: text/html 2026-05-19T13:25:26+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_changes_safe_and_proportionate&rev=1779197126&do=diff 26. When AI Misreads the Level of Risk (How to Keep Changes Safe and Proportionate) How we prevent AI from treating small changes like big ones — and big changes like small ones AI does not understand 'risk'. It does not know which parts of the system are fragile, text/html 2026-05-19T13:22:26+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_code_aligned_with_its_history&rev=1779196946&do=diff 34. When AI Misreads the History of the Code (How to Keep the Work Aligned With Why the Code Became What It Is) How we prevent AI from rewriting code without understanding the story behind it — and keep the work aligned with the decisions that shaped the system text/html 2026-05-19T13:24:08+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_components_separate_and_responsibilities_clear&rev=1779197048&do=diff 31. When AI Misreads the Boundaries (How to Keep Components Separate and Responsibilities Clear) How we prevent AI from crossing lines it cannot see — and keep components separate, responsibilities clear, and architecture intact Overview: * Chapter 30 — Dependencies (relationships between parts) text/html 2026-05-19T13:32:10+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_from_over_documenting&rev=1779197530&do=diff 25. When AI Over‑Documents (How to Keep Comments Useful, Minimal, and Honest) How we prevent AI from filling the code with unnecessary commentary — and keep documentation focused, truthful, and respectful of future readers AI loves to explain. text/html 2026-05-19T13:32:42+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_from_over_explaining_the_onvious&rev=1779197562&do=diff 24. When AI Over‑Explains the Obvious (How to Keep the Work Focused and Respectful of the Reader) How we prevent AI from explaining what the reader already knows — and keep the work sharp, efficient, and respectful AI does not know what is obvious. text/html 2026-05-19T13:35:11+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_from_over-correcting_code&rev=1779197711&do=diff 20. When AI Over‑Corrects (How to Keep the Work Stable and Minimal) How we prevent AI from “fixing” what isn’t broken — and keep the work stable, minimal, and intentional —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code text/html 2026-05-19T13:32:59+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_grounded_in_reality&rev=1779197579&do=diff 23. When AI Invents a Convention (How to Keep the System Grounded in Reality) How we prevent AI from fabricating rules the system never agreed to — and bring the work back to what is real —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code text/html 2026-05-19T13:37:22+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_work_aligned_with_what_matters&rev=1779197842&do=diff 18. When AI Misjudges Priority (How to Keep the Work Aligned With What Matters) How we prevent AI from optimizing the wrong thing — and bring the work back to what actually matters —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code text/html 2026-05-19T13:24:23+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_work_coherent_across_the_system&rev=1779197063&do=diff 30. When AI Misreads the Dependencies (How to Keep the Work Coherent Across the System) How we prevent AI from breaking relationships it cannot see — and keep the system coherent, connected, and whole Overview: * Chapter 22 — Hidden Dependencies (what the system relies on) text/html 2026-05-19T13:25:12+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_work_efficient_and_sustainable&rev=1779197112&do=diff 27. When AI Misreads the Cost of Change (How to Keep the Work Efficient and Sustainable) How we prevent AI from proposing changes that cost more than they solve — and keep the work efficient, sustainable, and aligned with reality AI does not understand cost. text/html 2026-05-19T13:24:58+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_work_focused_on_what_improves_the_system&rev=1779197098&do=diff 28. When AI Misreads the Impact of a Change (How to Keep the Work Focused on What Actually Improves the System) How we prevent AI from proposing changes that look meaningful but don’t actually improve anything AI does not understand impact. text/html 2026-05-19T13:24:36+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_work_future-proof_and_mantainable&rev=1779197076&do=diff 29. When AI Misreads the Stability of a Change (How to Keep the Work Future‑Proof and Maintainable) How we prevent AI from proposing changes that won’t survive future evolution — and keep the work stable, durable, and maintainable Overview: text/html 2026-05-19T13:22:42+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_keep_ai_work_within_the_real_limit&rev=1779196962&do=diff 33. When AI Misreads the Constraints (How to Keep the Work Within the Real Limits of the System) How we prevent AI from proposing changes the system cannot support — and keep the work grounded in the real limits of the environment Overview So far we've covered text/html 2026-05-19T13:33:42+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_match_the_ai-explanation_to_the_reader&rev=1779197622&do=diff 21. When AI Misreads the Audience (How to Match the Explanation to the Reader) How we guide AI to speak to the right person — at the right level — with the right tone —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code AI does not know who the reader is. text/html 2026-05-19T13:39:53+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_prevent_ai_hallucination&rev=1779197993&do=diff 14. When AI Invents Features (How to Prevent Hallucinated Behavior) How we prevent AI from fabricating behavior the system never had —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code AI does not know what is real. It only knows what is probable. text/html 2026-05-19T13:40:35+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_re-assert_the_architecture_when_ai_breaks_it&rev=1779198035&do=diff 13. When AI Breaks the Architecture (How to Re‑Assert the System’s Rules) How we restore structural integrity when AI crosses boundaries the system depends on —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code AI does not understand architecture. text/html 2026-05-19T13:39:05+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_re-center_when_ai_misreads_the_intent&rev=1779197945&do=diff 15. When AI Misreads Intent (How to Re‑Center the Goal) How we bring the work back to purpose when AI solves the wrong problem AI does not understand intent, but we already know that! It does not know what matters, what is optional, what is off‑limits, text/html 2026-05-19T13:42:28+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_reset_ai-and_regain_control&rev=1779198148&do=diff 09. When AI Gets Lost (How to Reset, Re‑Anchor, and Regain Control) How we restore direction when AI drifts, guesses, or wanders outside the boundaries —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code Even with clear guidance, AI sometimes gets lost. text/html 2026-05-19T13:40:49+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_restore_simplicity_when_ai_over_refactors&rev=1779198049&do=diff 12. When AI Over‑Refactors (How to Restore Simplicity) How we bring the work back to clarity when AI adds more structure than the task requires —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code AI loves patterns. It loves abstractions, layers, helpers, wrappers, and reorganizations. text/html 2026-05-19T13:33:18+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_reveal_important_system_dependencies_to-ai&rev=1779197598&do=diff 22. When AI Misses the Hidden Dependency (How to Reveal What the System Relies On) How we surface the invisible connections that shape behavior — the ones AI cannot infer on its own —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code text/html 2026-05-19T13:37:38+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_reveal_when_ai_misses_the_edge_case&rev=1779197858&do=diff 17. When AI Misses the Edge Case (How to Reveal the Hidden Risk) How we surface the rare conditions AI overlooks — the ones that break real systems —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code What are “edge cases”? text/html 2026-05-19T13:53:14+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:how_to_use_temporary_hacks_in_the_ai_era&rev=1779198794&do=diff 04. Temporary Hacks (Like !important) — How to Use Them Without Creating Noise How we apply short‑term fixes without disturbing structure, style, or AI collaboration —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code Every codebase contains moments where we need a quick, temporary fix. text/html 2026-05-19T13:21:55+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:is_an_act_of_stewardship&rev=1779196915&do=diff 36. Closing — Working With Existing Code Is an Act of Stewardship Working with existing code is not just a technical task. It is an act of stewardship — caring for a system that already has shape, history, constraints, boundaries, and purpose. text/html 2026-05-19T13:55:33+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:preface&rev=1779198933&do=diff 01. Preface: This is a long topic, but easy to read Working with existing code is a vast topic —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code Working with existing code is where AI makes the most subtle mistakes. So, we are going to repeat principles under different common scenarios. text/html 2026-05-19T13:54:19+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:showing_ai_the_right_parts_of_the_code&rev=1779198859&do=diff 03. Showing AI the Right Parts of the Code (and Only the Right Parts) How to reveal just enough, for AI to act safely, without overwhelming it or losing control When we work with existing code, the most important skill is not the editing — text/html 2026-05-19T13:21:11+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:start&rev=1779196871&do=diff Working with Existing Code 'Working With Existing Code' is about learning to see code the way AI sees it — as fragments, and without context. It's also about understanding how to provide clarity, boundaries, and intent that let AI act safely within 'an existing system'. text/html 2026-05-19T13:41:50+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:when_ai_misunderstands_the_system&rev=1779198110&do=diff 10. When AI Misunderstands the System (How to Reveal the Missing Context) How we help AI see the parts of the system it cannot infer on its own AI does not understand the system. It understands only the text we show it — such as the snippet, the file, the fragment. text/html 2026-05-19T13:49:35+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:working_with_legacy_code&rev=1779198575&do=diff 07. Working With Legacy Code (How to Guide AI Through Older Patterns) How we help AI navigate older structures without breaking what still works —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code 'Legacy code' is part of every real system. text/html 2026-05-19T13:46:49+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://icontemp.com/wiki/cssprimer/doku.php?id=working_with_existing_code:working_with_themes_and_plugins_with_ai&rev=1779198409&do=diff 08. Working With Themes and Plugins (How to Keep AI Inside the Boundaries) How we help AI understand what belongs to the theme, what belongs to the plugin, and 'what must remain untouched' —Part of CSS Primer for the AI Era — Working with Existing Code