# Simplify

> Review code for readability, reuse, and simplicity. Triggered by "/simplify" when user wants to refactor complex code, remove duplication, or improve clarity.

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

---


# Code Simplifier

## Trigger

Use when:
- User says `/simplify`
- User asks to refactor, clean up, or make code more readable
- Complex functions, deep nesting, or duplication detected

Do NOT use when:
- User asks for performance optimization (use `/optimize`)
- User asks for security audit (use `/security-review`)

## Steps

### Step 1: Gather Code

```bash
git diff main..HEAD --stat
```

For specific files:
```bash
cat path/to/file
```

### Step 2: Analyze Issues

Checklist:
- **Readability**: Functions >50 lines, nesting >3 levels, unclear names, magic numbers
- **Reuse**: Duplicated blocks, similar patterns, custom implementations where stdlib exists
- **Complexity**: Over-engineering, premature optimization, feature envy, shotgun surgery

### Step 3: Generate Report

Use the output format below.

## Output Format

```markdown
## Simplification Review

### Readability Issues
| File | Line | Issue | Suggestion |
|------|------|-------|------------|
| ... | ... | ... | ... |

### Duplication Found
```python
# file1:X and file2:Y are identical
# → Extract to shared module
```

### Complexity Concerns
- [Specific issues]

### Suggested Refactors
1. [Action with file:line]
2. [Action with file:line]
```

## Constraints

- Only suggest changes with clear benefit
- Three similar lines is better than premature abstraction
- Prefer explicit over clever
- Do NOT auto-apply changes; present suggestions and wait for user confirmation