simplify

What it does and when to use it

Use when the user asks to simplify, clean up or refactor recently changed code without changing what it does (duplication, dead code, needless complexity).

How it works

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---
name: simplify
description: Use when the user asks to simplify, clean up or refactor recently changed code without changing what it does (duplication, dead code, needless complexity).
---
# Simplify

Target: $ARGUMENTS (empty = the uncommitted changes).

Changed files: !`git --no-pager diff --stat HEAD`

Rules:
- Behaviour must stay exactly the same: same inputs give the same outputs, errors and side effects.
- Touch only the target code. Do not reformat or rename things the change did not touch.
- Match the surrounding style: naming, comment density, idioms.

Look for:
1. Duplicated code that an existing helper already does (grep the project for it before writing a new one).
2. Dead code: unused variables, imports, parameters, unreachable branches, commented-out code.
3. Needless complexity: nested ifs that can be early returns, flags that can be a direct return,
   manual loops that are one comprehension or one library call, wrappers that only pass through.
4. Repeated work: the same file read, regex compiled or value computed several times.

Steps: read the diff (`git --no-pager diff HEAD -- <file>`), make small edits with edit_file, then run the
project's tests or at least a syntax check of each changed file. If a test fails, revert that edit.

Report: one line per change (`path:line` — what was simplified), and anything you left alone on purpose.

Versions

Database snapshot: 13.11.2026 · package version 28166510bbbe (SHA-256 digest of the entire package)

Downloads in the last 30 days: 0 · ranking

Report a problem with this skill: harmful content, incorrect descriptions or an author’s removal request.

Similar skills

• 100code-simplify
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• 85at-simplify
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