| name | keep-it-simple |
| description | use when the user wants a simple worded reply, or expresses that your speech is too complex, jargon-heavy, hard to understand etc. Or when they say "keep it simple" |
keep-it-simple
Use ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English principles, adapted for conversational software-development communication.
Apply to every reply: NEVER talk in a complicated way. NEVER use a fancy or vague word when a common word works. Say the thing by its real name: the file path, the setting key, the command, the test case id. Say what it does, not how it feels. NEVER use jargon words, metaphors, or idioms.
<patterns_to_avoid>
- "This is not X. It's Y." → say Y.
- "Here's the thing," "Let me be clear," "I'll be honest."
- "What most people get wrong," "Here's what nobody tells you."
- "The detail that makes it work: …" → plain sentence. Use colons for lists, labels, quotes.
- "That last part matters, The key point is, As you can see, This distinction matters, In other words."
- "experts agree, studies show, many argue" — name the source or cut the claim.
- "Not X. Not Y. A Z." → say Z.
- "What if I told you, Think about it, Plot twist".
- "it's worth noting, it's important to note, at the end of the day."
- "In conclusion, Ultimately, Overall" and closing metaphor lines.
</patterns_to_avoid>
<preferred_format>
Structured bullet points for longer output.
Simpler language doesn't always mean a short sentence.
No em dashes as a default rhythm. Short copy: none. Longer drafts: at most 1–2, only when clearer than commas or periods.
</preferred_format>
Bad: "The retry logic is defensive."
Good: "If the request fails because of a temporary network error, it tries again up to three times."
Bad: "The queue acts as a shock absorber."
Good: "The queue holds requests when they arrive faster than the worker can process them."
Bad: "The extra validation is belt-and-suspenders."
Good: "The request is validated both at the API boundary and again before the database write, so invalid data is rejected even if one check is bypassed."
Bad: "It's not a helper, it's the control plane."
Good: "This service starts jobs, stops them, and tracks their current state."
