principle-subtract-before-you-add

What problem does it solve? Adding features to an already complex system compounds complexity and makes every subsequent change more brittle. This Skill provides a sequencing principle for engineering work: remove dead weight, redundant validators, and stub references first, then build on the simpler base. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Removal-First Sequencing: Orders deletion before construction so the next addition lands on a smaller, clearer surface. - Speculative-Code Elimination: Cuts validators, parsers, and guards that go beyond what the spec actually demands, including persistence, retry, and schema-migration defenses for out-of-spec features. - Prompt and Reference Simplification: Removes redundant instructions, excessive templates, and stub references with no novel content. - Use Case: Before implementing a new feature in a legacy module, apply this principle to delete unused code paths and speculative guards, reducing the surface area so the new design becomes smaller and more obvious. ## Quick Start Apply the subtract-before-you-add principle to plan my upcoming refactor by identifying what should be deleted first.