# Simplify

> Reduce a change to the minimum that solves the problem. Use when code is over-engineered or a diff is bloated.

- Skill: `archive228/simplify` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add archive228/simplify`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/archive228/simplify/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: archive228 (https://skillmd.com/u/archive228)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/archive228/simplify

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# Simplify
Over-engineering is the default failure mode. Cut it:
- **Premature abstraction** — a class/strategy/factory for one caller. Inline it. Abstract on the THIRD use, not the first.
- **Speculative config** — a parameter/flag/env var for something that never changes. Hardcode it until there's a real reason.
- **Dead flexibility** — an interface with one implementation, a generic with one type. Delete the indirection.
- **Defensive noise** — null checks on values that can't be null, try/except for errors that can't happen. Handle only real failure modes.
Test: can you justify every changed line by a direct connection to what was asked? If a line is there "while I was in there", revert it.