# Simplify

> Analyze code for unnecessary complexity and suggest simplifications Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/simplify-3` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/simplify-3`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/simplify-3/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/simplify-3

---


Analyze the specified code for unnecessary complexity and suggest simplifications.

## Scope

- If `$ARGUMENTS` is a file: analyze that specific file.
- If `$ARGUMENTS` is a directory: scan for the most complex files and prioritize.
- If `$ARGUMENTS` is empty: analyze recently changed files (`git diff --name-only main...HEAD`).

## What to Look For

1. **Premature abstractions** — Wrappers, helpers, or utilities used only once. Three similar lines are better than a premature abstraction.
2. **Over-engineering** — Feature flags, backwards-compatibility shims, or configurability that isn't needed yet.
3. **Dead code** — Unused imports, unreachable branches, commented-out blocks.
4. **Unnecessary indirection** — Layers that just pass through, factories that build one thing, interfaces with one implementation.
5. **Complex conditionals** — Deeply nested if/else, long boolean chains that could be simplified.
6. **Duplicated logic** — Copy-paste code that should be a function (only if used 3+ times).

## Output Format

Write findings to `scratch/simplify_latest.md`:

```
## Simplification Report: <scope>

### High Impact
- [file:line] What to simplify and why. Estimated reduction: X lines.

### Medium Impact
- [file:line] Description.

### Low Impact / Nitpicks
- [file:line] Description.

### Summary
- Total opportunities: N
- Estimated net line reduction: X
- Recommendation: [act now / defer / skip]
```

Return a ≤5 line summary to the main context.

## Rules

- Don't suggest changes that would break existing tests.
- Don't remove code that handles real edge cases — only remove genuinely dead paths.
- Simplicity > cleverness. The goal is clarity, not fewer characters.
- Present options — don't apply changes without approval.

---
> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/sakebomb) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.
<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-13 -->