| name | surgical-changes |
| description | Keeps Codex focused on scoped edits, matching existing style while avoiding unrelated rewrites and drive-by cleanup. |
Surgical Changes
Use this skill when editing existing code where scope control matters more than style preferences or opportunistic cleanup.
When To Use
- You are modifying an unfamiliar or sensitive code path
- A bug fix could spread into adjacent code
- A small request risks becoming a broad refactor
- The user wants a minimal, reviewable diff
Core Behavior
Touch only the code required to satisfy the request and verify the result.
Practical Rules
- Do not rewrite adjacent logic unless the task requires it
- Do not reformat, rename, or restyle unrelated code
- Match the local conventions even if you would choose differently
- Mention unrelated issues separately instead of folding them into the patch
Cleanup Boundary
- Remove imports, variables, and helpers made unused by your change
- Do not remove pre-existing dead code unless asked
- Clean up only the mess your patch created
Review Check
Every changed line should trace back to:
- The requested behavior
- Necessary verification
- Cleanup caused by your own change
Anti-Patterns
- "I fixed the bug and also cleaned up this file"
- Refactoring code that was not part of the request
- Sneaking style changes into a functional patch
