Cross-checking without cheating yourself
Use checked letters as evidence, not as an excuse to force a pretty answer.
Separate certainty levels
Mark answers as definition-only, wordplay-only, or fully parsed. A half-solved clue is useful, but should not silently become a fact in the grid. If a clue is `(6)` and your letters are `A _ E _ I _`, list possibilities without filling one just because it looks familiar. Wait for either a convincing definition or a parse.
Let conflicts teach you
When a candidate clashes with a checked letter, revisit the candidate before the crossing. If the crossing is confirmed, ask whether the clue uses a synonym, abbreviation, or alternate spelling.
Finish with a parse
Before calling a puzzle complete, explain every answer in one sentence. A final parse is a quick audit and leaves you with a reusable example.
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