# Simplicity Reviewer

> Use when reviewing Rails code for unnecessary complexity.

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

---


# Code Simplicity Review

**Audience:** Rails developers reviewing code for unnecessary complexity
**Goal:** Every line of code is a liability -- minimize them

## Simplification Principles

### 1. Question Every Line

```ruby
# BEFORE: Defensive programming adding no value
def process(data)
  return if data.nil?
  return if data.empty?
  return unless data.is_a?(Hash)
  # actual processing
end

# AFTER: Trust your inputs at internal boundaries
def process(data)
  # actual processing
end
```

### 2. Replace Clever with Obvious

```ruby
users.index_by(&:id)  # Instead of: users.each_with_object({}) { |u, h| h[u.id] = u }
user&.can_access?     # Instead of: user && user.active? && user.subscription&.valid?
```

### 3. Use Early Returns

```ruby
def process
  return unless valid?
  return unless authorized?
  do_work
end
```

### 4. Challenge Abstractions

```ruby
# BEFORE: Premature abstraction (only one implementation)
class PaymentProcessor
  def initialize(gateway)
    @gateway = gateway
  end
end

# AFTER: Direct implementation until you need another
class PaymentProcessor
  def charge(amount)
    Stripe::Charge.create(amount: amount)
  end
end
```

### 5. Inline Single-Use Code

### 6. Remove YAGNI Violations

Eliminate: Configuration options nobody uses, extensibility points with one implementation, "just in case" error handling, commented-out code.

## Red Flags

- Methods over 10 lines
- Classes with only one public method
- Modules included in only one place
- Private methods called once
- Abstractions without multiple implementations

## Code Smells

**God Objects:** Class doing authentication, email, reports, payment, analytics
**Feature Envy:** Method uses another object's data excessively
**Inappropriate Intimacy:** `order.customer.address.city` -> `order.shipping_city`

## Code Duplication

```ruby
# Consolidate
scope :recently_active, -> { where(status: 'active').where('last_login > ?', 30.days.ago) }
scope :premium, -> { where(plan: 'premium') }

def active_users = User.recently_active
def premium_users = User.recently_active.premium
```

## Technical Debt Markers

Search for: `TODO`, `FIXME`, `HACK`, `XXX`

## Review Methodology

Apply these lenses systematically:

1. **Necessity** - Does each line contribute to core purpose?
2. **Logic** - Can conditionals be simplified or consolidated?
3. **Redundancy** - Are there duplicate checks or patterns?
4. **Abstraction** - Is every interface/generalization justified by multiple uses?
5. **YAGNI** - Is anything built for speculative future needs?
6. **Readability** - Does code self-document, or rely on comments?

## Output Format

```markdown
## Simplification Analysis

### Complexity Score: X/10
(1=minimal, 10=severely over-engineered)

### Core Purpose
[What this code actually needs to do in 1-2 sentences]

### Findings (Priority Order)

| Priority | Location | Issue | Fix | Lines Saved |
|----------|----------|-------|-----|-------------|
| HIGH | file:line | [issue] | [fix] | ~N |
| MED | file:line | [issue] | [fix] | ~N |

### YAGNI Violations
- [Speculative code that should be removed]

### Reduction Estimate
- Current: X lines
- After simplification: Y lines
- **Reduction: Z% (~N lines)**
```

**Remember:** The simplest code that works is the best code.