principle-subtract-before-you-add

What problem does it solve? When evolving a codebase, teams often add features on top of existing complexity, which compounds technical debt and makes every subsequent change harder. This Skill enforces a subtraction-first discipline so additions land on a simpler, smaller base. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Removal-First Sequencing: Orders deletion of dead weight, redundant validators, and stub references before any construction begins. - Anti-Speculation Rules: Blocks speculative validators, parsers, and guards beyond what the spec demands, and cuts out-of-spec features like unneeded persistence or retry logic. - Prompt Simplification: Applies the same subtraction principle to prompts by removing redundant instructions and excessive templates. - Use Case: Before refactoring a module or adding a new endpoint, apply this Skill to strip unused code paths and stub references first, making the actual change smaller and less brittle. ## Quick Start Apply the subtract-before-you-add principle to review my planned refactor and identify what should be deleted before I build the new feature.