Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

arrow_back_ios_new
MENTAL MODEL · M1050

Strangler Fig Pattern

Strangler Fig Pattern
SystemsHigh supportSystems Theory
Included
account_tree

Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Don't try to overthrow the old system all at once (big-bang rewrite). Instead, like a strangler fig, build a new system around the old one, gradually intercepting traffic and functionality until the old system withers and is eventually replaced.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Incremental reform. For deeply entrenched old systems or habits, don't stage a revolution; evolve. Wrap old habits with new small habits, gradually replacing them.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Derived from the phenomenon of fig trees wrapping around host plants, gradually wrapping new functionality around the legacy system, running new and old in parallel, and eventually strangling and replacing the old system.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/3

Practice this model in one real situation:

Check to track your progress (stored locally)
Learning progress0%
account_treeGenealogyexpand_more
menu_bookReferencesexpand_more

Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strangler_fig_patternZH · Explicit
    verified

RELATED MODELS

Related model

Wirth's Law

Wirth's law is an adage on computer performance which states that software is getting slower more rapidly than hardware is becoming faster.

arrow_forwardRelated model

Hyrum's Law

An application programming interface (API) is a connection between computers or between computer programs. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software. A documen

arrow_forwardRelated model

Coriolis Force

The Coriolis force is an inertial-force term needed to describe motion in a rotating reference frame, involving the cross product of frame angular velocity and relative object velocity.

arrow_forward