= Solution
Use the convention
$$
A(X,Y)=(\overline\nabla_XY)^\perp,
\qquad
\mathbf H=\sum_{i=1}^nA(e_i,e_i).
$$
An embedded submanifold is <minimal surface>[minimal] when its mean curvature vector $\mathbf H$ vanishes identically. For a variation $M_t$ with velocity field $V$, the <first variation of area> is
$$
\left.\frac d{dt}\operatorname{Area}(M_t)\right|_{t=0}
=-\int_M\langle\mathbf H,V\rangle,d\mu
+\int_{\partial M}\langle V,\eta\rangle,d\sigma,
$$
where $\eta$ is the outward unit conormal. For a boundaryless $M$, only the first integral remains. This sign convention is consistent with the outward variation of a round sphere increasing its area, because its $\mathbf H$ points inward.
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