Ugly Tools Lab
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Chapter 8 · Build Something Useful

Rules, AI, or Hybrid Chooser

Do not use a brain where a light switch would work. Answer six quick questions and this tells you whether the first version should be a plain rule, an AI tool, a hybrid, or nothing yet.

1. Is the trigger clear? (a date, a count, a threshold, a missing field, a status change)

Yes, clear trigger
No, it is fuzzy

2. Is the hard part messy human input? (language, notes, images, judgment)

Yes, messy
No, it is tidy

3. Does the output touch customers, money, safety, legal, payroll, medical, or employee records?

Yes, high stakes
No, low stakes

4. Can a human approve before it acts?

Yes
No

5. Is a mistake reversible?

Yes
No

6. Does this happen often?

Yes, repetitive
No, rare