---
id: search-before-create
description: Search for existing solutions before creating new ones.
tags:
  - instinct
  - development
  - reuse
author: agent
status: active
created: '2026-04-30'
source: learned-behavior
related:
  - read-before-edit
metadata:
  harness-source: learned
---

# Instinct: Search Before Create

Before creating anything new — a function, a file, a module — search for existing
implementations first. Duplication creates maintenance burden. Reuse creates leverage.

Provenance: Found duplicate utility functions across three separate modules.