The first principles process has four steps. Step one: identify and define the problem clearly. Most problems are poorly defined — people are solving a symptom rather than the root cause. Step two: break it down to foundational truths. Ask 'why?' repeatedly until you reach a layer that cannot be broken down further — the bedrock of what is actually, verifiably true. Step three: rebuild from the ground up. Using only the foundational truths you identified, reason toward a solution without importing assumptions from how others have solved it. Step four: test your reasoning. A first principles solution can be logically sound but still wrong in practice. Build the smallest possible test and run it. Reality corrects theory faster than more theory does.