Code Simplifier

This skill launches the code-simplifier subagent (provided by the code-simplifier@claude-plugins-official plugin installed in user scope) to simplify and refine code while preserving all functionality.

When to Use

• After implementing a feature or bug fix, to clean up the resulting code
• When code has grown overly complex and needs simplification
• When the user requests code cleanup, simplification, or readability improvements
• To remove unnecessary abstractions, redundant logic, or dead code
• To improve naming, reduce nesting, and streamline control flow

Workflow

Step 1: Identify Target Files

Determine which files to simplify. By default, focus on recently modified files in the current branch:

git diff --name-only HEAD~1  # Files changed in last commit
git diff --name-only         # Uncommitted changes

If the user specifies particular files or directories, use those instead.

Step 2: Launch the Subagent

Invoke the code-simplifier subagent via the Task tool with subagent_type: "code-simplifier":

Task tool call:
  subagent_type: "code-simplifier"
  description: "Simplify recently modified code"
  prompt: "Simplify and refine the following files: <file list>. Preserve all existing functionality."

The subagent is an Opus-powered specialist that:

• Preserves exact functionality while improving how code is written
• Applies project standards from CLAUDE.md (ES modules, naming conventions, etc.)
• Reduces unnecessary complexity and nesting
• Avoids nested ternary operators, preferring switch/if-else for clarity
• Chooses clarity over brevity

Step 3: Prompt Construction

Include in the prompt:

• The specific files or code areas to simplify
• Any constraints (e.g., "preserve the public API", "do not change test files")
• The type of simplification needed (e.g., "reduce nesting", "improve naming", "remove dead code")

Example Invocations

After a feature implementation:

Task tool:
  subagent_type: "code-simplifier"
  description: "Simplify header factory code"
  prompt: "Simplify the recently modified files in the current branch. Files: src/webview/factories/HeaderFactory.ts, src/webview/managers/UIManager.ts. Preserve all functionality. Focus on reducing complexity and improving readability."

Targeted cleanup:

Task tool:
  subagent_type: "code-simplifier"
  description: "Simplify TerminalManager dispose"
  prompt: "Simplify src/terminal/TerminalManager.ts. The dispose() method has grown too complex. Reduce nesting, extract helper functions if needed, and improve variable naming. Do not change the public API."

Branch-wide cleanup:

Task tool:
  subagent_type: "code-simplifier"
  description: "Simplify all changed files"
  prompt: "Review and simplify all TypeScript files changed in the current branch compared to main. Run: git diff --name-only main...HEAD -- '*.ts' to find changed files. Preserve all functionality and tests."

Step 4: Review Results

After the subagent completes:

1. Review the changes for correctness
2. Run tests to verify functionality is preserved: npm run test:unit
3. Run the linter to verify code quality: npm run lint