1. Notice the moment
Look for speed, certainty, defensiveness, urgency, or a conclusion that feels unusually satisfying. Those feelings do not prove a bias is present, but they are useful signals that a quick check may be worthwhile.
2. Match the pattern
Search by bias, browse a situation guide, or compare the thought with a real-world example. Choose the pattern that best explains what is happening rather than collecting every label that could possibly apply.
3. Ask the check question
Each entry includes one question designed to interrupt the shortcut. Answer it with specific evidence. If the question cannot be answered yet, that uncertainty is useful information rather than a failure.
4. Reframe before deciding
Restate the situation in a way that includes the strongest alternative explanation, the missing context, or the longer pattern. Then decide whether the original judgment still holds and how confidently it should be expressed.