The Capably Human research library

FrameworkCH-F-001 v2.1 · July 3, 2026 · 40 min read

The Capability Fitness Framework

Michael D. Lapico

Capability Fitness is the lifelong development and maintenance of the capabilities of the mind that enable people to reason and decide, learn, focus, create, and adapt. The framework explains why AI makes this work urgent, introduces the five capability domains and their twenty-six sub-skills, the support-versus-substitution distinction and the eight Human-Strengthening AI principles, and sets measurement guardrails.

ModelCH-M-001 v1.4 · July 10, 2026 · 30 min read

The Capability Model

Michael D. Lapico

A developmental model of the human capabilities most affected by how people work with AI, organized into five domains (Think, Learn, Focus, Create, Adapt) and twenty-six observable sub-skills, each developed along a four-level scale from prompted performance to independent transfer. Every sub-skill carries a characteristic AI failure mode, and the model is the base for Capably Human's rules of engagement for human-AI interaction.

Builds on CH-F-001

GuideCH-G-001 v1.2 · July 14, 2026 · 20 min read

Designing for Capability

Michael D. Lapico

Every feature teaches its users a pattern of practice, and practice is how capability is built or lost. This guide turns The Capability Fitness Framework and The Capability Model into working rules for product design and UX: the support-versus-substitution decision, eight design principles with techniques, a five-domain review lens, transfer-first metrics and a ten-question capability design review.

Builds on CH-F-001, CH-M-001

Instrument · WorksheetCH-I-001 v0.3 · October 26, 2026 · 4 min read

The Rules of Engagement Check

Michael D. Lapico

A one-page check to run on any task before you hand it to AI, and again when the work comes back. It walks the three rules of engagement for working with AI (Delegate or Retain, Trust or Challenge, Let it run or Step in), each tested by one question: does the help support your effort or substitute for it? Nine questions, three calls, no score. The first instrument in Capably Human’s rules-of-engagement stack, and the check Humably runs with you on your own work.

Builds on CH-F-001, CH-M-001

ModelCH-M-002 v1.0 · October 26, 2026 · 23 min read

The Rules of Engagement Model

Michael D. Lapico

A model of the three decisions that shape whether working with AI builds a person’s capability or substitutes for it: Delegate or Retain, Trust or Challenge, and Let it run or Step in, each tested by support versus substitution. It names what drives each decision, defines the engagement call as the observable unit of the practice, maps the calls onto the Capability Model’s proficiency scale and failure modes, sets out how they are observed and recorded in the delegation map, and states the hypotheses the trial program will test. The conceptual base for the Rules of Engagement Check (CH-I-001), the Rules of Engagement Guide (CH-G-002), and Humably.

Builds on CH-F-001, CH-M-001

GuideCH-G-002 v1.0 · October 26, 2026 · 26 min read

The Rules of Engagement Guide

Michael D. Lapico

The long version of the rules of engagement, for people. It takes each of the three rules (Delegate or Retain, Trust or Challenge, Let it run or Step in) in turn: the decision, the questions that settle it, the signs it has gone wrong, and worked examples at work, at school, and in later life. Then the test in both directions, the rules by setting, eight common situations and the calls, how to practise, and three questions for managers, teachers, and parents to ask instead of “did you use AI?” Expands the one-page check (CH-I-001) and applies the model (CH-M-002).

Builds on CH-F-001, CH-M-001, CH-M-002, CH-I-001

BookCH-B-001 1st edition · 17 chapters

Heavy Lifting

Capability Fitness in the Age of Thinking Machines

Michael D. Lapico

Whether AI builds capability or replaces it is a design choice, and the book shows how to make it. Introduces Capability Fitness through five domains and twenty-six observable skills, argues for AI as spotter, not lifter (helping you lift more than you could alone without lifting the bar for you), and sets out rules of engagement for working with AI.

Builds on CH-F-001, CH-M-001

BookCH-B-002 1st edition · 18 chapters

Load-Bearing

Designing AI Products That Keep the Thinking Where It Belongs

Michael D. Lapico

The second book in the series: a practical guide for product teams building AI features that keep the thinking — and the capability it builds — with the people who use them.

Builds on CH-G-001