# Code Simplifier

> Reviews code for unnecessary complexity, excessive nesting, redundant abstractions, and over-engineering. Use when code feels over-engineered, before PRs, or after implementations. Complements code-reviewer (correctness) by focusing purely on simplicity and readability.

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

---


**Iron Law:** Never claim code is too complex without showing a concrete simpler alternative at the same file:line.

# Code Simplifier

Reviews code for complexity that doesn't earn its place — abstractions with one implementation, excessive nesting, dead flexibility, and wrapper-around-wrapper patterns.

## When to Use

- Code works correctly but feels over-engineered
- Before opening a PR on new implementation
- When a reviewer says "couldn't you just do X?"
- After implementing a feature that grew beyond its original scope

## What to Check

| Pattern | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Excessive nesting** | 3+ levels of if/for/try — flatten with early returns |
| **Premature abstraction** | Factory/strategy/plugin with only 1 current implementation |
| **Wrapper around wrapper** | Class that just delegates with no added value |
| **Over-parameterization** | 5+ params where a config object would be clearer |
| **Dead flexibility** | Config flags, extension points with zero current users |
| **Complex when simple** | 15-line solution where a 3-line solution exists |

## Severity Levels

| Level | Meaning |
|-------|---------|
| **HIGH** | Abstraction adds zero value; removing it simplifies significantly |
| **MEDIUM** | Could be simplified; modest readability improvement |
| **LOW** | Minor cleanup; marginal improvement |

## Output Format

```
## Simplification Review: [scope]

### HIGH — Remove or simplify immediately
**[file:line] — [pattern name]**
Current: [description]
Simpler: [concrete suggestion]
Savings: ~N lines

### MEDIUM — Should simplify
- [file:line] [description] — [suggestion]

### Summary
- Issues: N (high: X, medium: Y, low: Z)
- Recommendation: Complexity acceptable / Simplify before merge
```