- Does the tool clearly state what it does, without marketing fluff?
- Can you explain its purpose in one sentence without jargon?
👉 If not, it’s likely overpromised or misaligned.
- How many steps are required to get from install → “Hello World”?
- Are those steps necessary, or are they artifacts of bloat (extra dependencies, forced installs)?
👉 If setup feels punitive, it’s a red flag.
- Are limitations and requirements stated upfront?
- Does the documentation admit complexity instead of hiding it?
👉 Honest docs save you time; evasive ones waste it.
- Does the tool empower you quickly, or does it drain motivation with repeated hacks (PATH edits, reboots, toolchain installs)?
👉 If you feel punished instead of supported, it’s not respecting your workflow.
- Can the tool run across environments without lock-in?
- Is it open-source or community-driven, or does it feel like marketware?
👉 Authentic tools give you control; marketware often takes it away.
- Is complexity introduced only when it’s truly necessary?
- Does the tool avoid gratuitous layers (Docker for trivial scripts, bloated GUIs for simple configs)?
👉 Necessary complexity is fine; gratuitous complexity is not.
- Can you achieve a meaningful result quickly (a working demo, a visible output)?
- Does the tool encourage iteration rather than waiting for a “big bang” setup?
👉 Small wins build momentum; long delays sap it.
⚡ How to Use It
When you evaluate something new, run through this checklist. If it fails on 3 or more points, it’s probably not worth your energy. If it passes most, it’s worth exploring further.