One thing I started documenting that helped more than expected: rejected approaches

A developer found that documenting rejected approaches, not just accepted ones, significantly improved their workflow. This practice helps avoid re-evaluating previously discarded solutions, especially when using AI tools like Claude. Months later, AI might suggest a "cleaner" approach that was already ruled out for valid reasons. Documenting these rejections provides crucial context, making the value of such records more apparent, particularly with AI's involvement.

This report highlights a new documentation practice, unlike traditional methods, that specifically addresses challenges introduced by AI tools like Claude in software development.