Prototyping

Definitions

Building a preliminary, often rough version of a feature, system, or interface to validate ideas, test assumptions, or gather user feedback before committing to a full implementation. Prototypes range from paper mockups and Figma wireframes to throwaway code spikes.
In plain English: Building a quick, rough version of something to test whether the idea works before investing in a polished final product.
Example: "We spent a week prototyping the new editor in a branch to see if the interaction model even worked before writing production code."