simplify

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).

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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.

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Step 2 - Apply fixes

For each finding:

1. Apply the simplification directly using the Edit tool.
2. Keep changes minimal - do not restructure surrounding code.
3. Preserve existing tests - if a rename would break imports, skip it.

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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 ✓