| name | simplify |
| description | Scan changed files for complexity patterns: deep nesting, local duplication, dead code, magic values, conditional simplification. Apply minimal safe refactors to improve readability. |
Applicability
Run on files changed in the current block after writing (Phase 2). Skip for trivial 1-file changes with <20 lines modified.
Input: the user invokes /simplify optionally followed by file paths. If no paths given, use git diff --name-only HEAD to find changed files. Filter to source files only (skip config, docs, generated files).
Step 1 - Scan each file for simplification opportunities
For every source file in scope, check these 6 patterns:
S1 - Early returns
Nested if/else where the else (or if) branch is a short return, throw, or continue. Invert the condition and return early to flatten the block.
S2 - Nesting depth
Any block nested >3 levels deep. Extract the inner logic into a named function, or apply guard clauses (S1) to reduce depth.
S3 - Local duplication
Two or more blocks within the same file that repeat the same logic (>3 lines identical or near-identical). Extract into a local helper.
S4 - Conditional simplification
- Ternaries nested inside ternaries
- Boolean expressions that can collapse (
if (x) return true; return false; → return x;)
- Switch/match with identical arms that can be merged
S5 - Dead code
- Unreachable code after return/throw/break
- Commented-out code blocks (>3 lines)
- Unused local variables, parameters, or imports (only flag if confidence is high)
S6 - Magic values
Repeated literal values (strings, numbers) used >2 times in the same file. Extract to a named constant at file/module scope.
Step 2 - Apply fixes
For each finding:
- Apply the simplification directly using the Edit tool.
- Keep changes minimal - do not restructure surrounding code.
- Preserve existing tests - if a rename would break imports, skip it.
Step 3 - Summary
Output a compact summary:
/simplify - [N] files scanned, [M] changes applied
| File | Change | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| path/to/file.ext | description of change | S1/S2/S3/S4/S5/S6 |
If no changes needed: /simplify - [N] files scanned, all clean ✓
