| name | Simplification Cascades |
| description | Find one insight that eliminates multiple components - "if this is true, we don't need X, Y, or Z" |
| when_to_use | when implementing the same concept multiple ways, accumulating special cases, or complexity is spiraling |
| version | 1.1.0 |
Simplification Cascades
Overview
Sometimes one insight eliminates 10 things. Look for the unifying principle that makes multiple components unnecessary.
Core principle: "Everything is a special case of..." collapses complexity dramatically.
Quick Reference
| Symptom | Likely Cascade |
|---|
| Same thing implemented 5+ ways | Abstract the common pattern |
| Growing special case list | Find the general case |
| Complex rules with exceptions | Find the rule that has no exceptions |
| Excessive config options | Find defaults that work for 95% |
The Pattern
Look for:
- Multiple implementations of similar concepts
- Special case handling everywhere
- "We need to handle A, B, C, D differently..."
- Complex rules with many exceptions
Ask: "What if they're all the same thing underneath?"