choose-primitive

Choose Primitive

Recommend the correct Every Layout primitive for the problem described:

$ARGUMENTS

Walk the decision tree in references/decision-tree.md to pick a primitive. Canonical primitive definitions live in skills/css-layout-engine/references/primitives.md — load that file before recommending, and cite the primitive's ID (ELC_) and the principle IDs (ELP_) that apply.

Process

1. Read the context: container shape, content type, responsive behavior, constraints.
2. Walk the decision tree (references/decision-tree.md) until you reach a single primitive.
3. Verify the primitive fits by checking its "Applies when" and "Fails when" clauses in primitives.md.
4. Consider at least one alternative and explain why you rejected it.
5. Supply a minimal working example (HTML + CSS) using the primitive's canonical custom properties.

Report shape

## Recommendation: [Primitive Name] (ELC_*)

### Why
Short paragraph linking the problem to the primitive's "applies when".

### Key parameters
Table of custom properties and their chosen values, with reasons.

### Code
Minimal HTML + CSS.

### Alternatives considered
Table: primitive | ID | why rejected.

### Verification
Checklist pulled from the primitive's "verification_tests" in `primitives.md`.

### Related principles
ELP_* IDs that govern this choice.

Constraints

• MUST cite ELC_* and ELP_* IDs
• MUST consider at least one alternative
• MUST provide working code, not prose
• MUST NOT invent primitives
• MUST NOT recommend combinations when a single primitive suffices — prefer one primitive, compose later

See references/decision-tree.md for the full tree and references/combinations.md for when a combination is warranted.