ponytail (dietrichgebert): a Claude skill for the smallest working code change

ponytail makes Claude act like a lazy senior developer: the smallest change that fully solves the task, and a short reply.

Installs: 115K; on skills.sh
Stars: 182K; on GitHub
Updated: Oct 2026; last repo commit

ponytail is a short skill that sets a working style for Claude: solve the whole problem with the least new code. Claude reuses what the codebase and standard library already have, avoids new dependencies and abstractions, and ends each reply with one or two lines on what it skipped and any risk.

It applies to any coding task and stays on for the session until you say "stop ponytail" or "normal mode". Switch levels with /ponytail lite, full or ultra. Lite names the smaller option and lets you pick, full is the default, and ultra also pushes back on parts of the request. It bundles no scripts.

Good for

Developers tired of over-engineered, bloated AI code
Reviewers who want fewer lines to read and fewer new dependencies
Teams who like a YAGNI rule applied to every coding task

Install ponytail

Claude Code

1
Send this as one prompt: /plugin marketplace add DietrichGebert/ponytail
2
Then send this as a second, separate prompt: /plugin install ponytail@ponytail

The README's route is the plugin. It also adds the /ponytail-review, /ponytail-audit, /ponytail-debt, /ponytail-gain and /ponytail-help commands, the band above the prompt, and two Node.js lifecycle hooks, so node must be on your PATH. The skill-folder route installs only the SKILL.md prompt.

From the project README. Source.

What's in the skill

When it loads

Lazy senior dev mode: the smallest change that fully solves the task, and a reply a busy human understands in one read. Use on any coding task (writing, fixing, refactoring, reviewing, choosing dependencies) and when the user says "ponytail", "be lazy", "simplest solution", "yagni", or complains about over-engineering or bloat. Levels: lite, full (default), ultra.

Sections in SKILL.md

Before you write
The smallest complete change
Levels

Key facts

Author: dietrichgebert
Repo: dietrichgebert/ponytail
Skill folder: skills/ponytail
skills.sh installs: 115,024
Repo stars: 182,027
License: MIT
Last repo commit: 2026-10-29
Bundled files: SKILL.md only
skills.sh audits: Gen Agent Trust Hub: pass; Socket: pass; Snyk: pass

What it includes

Build what was asked; name the smaller option in one line and let you pick
/ponytail lite
Default: take the smallest option that fully works
/ponytail full
Also question the request and push back on parts the need does not justify
/ponytail ultra
Turn it off; "stop ponytail" or "normal mode" also work
/ponytail off
List every place the change must reach: callers, tests, fixtures, config, exports
Before you write
Six steps from "does it need to exist" to the minimum code that works
The smallest complete change
Validation at trust boundaries, data-loss error handling, security, accessibility
Never cut

From the official docs

Permissions

Low risk

The skill alone is a prompt. The plugin route in the README adds hooks and a local usage band, so read what you trust before you approve the hooks.

What it can do

Read your data
Create and change things
Delete things
Read-only mode

Watch out for

The plugin route runs hooks
INSTALL.md says the Claude Code and Codex plugins run two Node.js lifecycle hooks. In Codex you review and trust them in /hooks before they run.
The band keeps session data locally
The README says the band and board store cost, token and test data under ~/.config/ponytail/band/ by default, and that /ponytail band import adds your past Claude Code sessions to it.

Security advisories

No published security advisories as of Nov 2, 2026.

Technical details

Turning on read-only	No read-only switch is named.
Sign-in and keys	No account or key is named in SKILL.md or the README install steps.
Scopes	Plugin route: runs two Node.js lifecycle hooks Plugin route in Claude Code: shows a band above the prompt and a local board; the README says its data stays on your machine in ~/.config/ponytail/band/ Skill-folder route: instructions only, no hooks

Questions

What does ponytail do?

It makes Claude pick the smallest change that fully solves your coding task. It reuses existing code and the standard library, avoids extra abstractions and dependencies, and ends with a line on what it skipped.

How do I install ponytail in Claude Code, Claude or Codex?

The README's Claude Code route is the plugin: send /plugin marketplace add DietrichGebert/ponytail, then /plugin install ponytail@ponytail as a second prompt. For Codex use codex plugin marketplace add DietrichGebert/ponytail, then codex plugin add ponytail@ponytail. In the Claude app, upload the skill folder as a zip.

How do I switch levels or turn it off?

Type /ponytail lite, /ponytail full or /ponytail ultra. Type /ponytail off, or say "stop ponytail" or "normal mode", to stop it.

Does it skip tests and error handling?

No. SKILL.md says to finish every part the task needs, including callers, tests and fixtures. New non-trivial logic gets a small test or self-check, and it never cuts validation at trust boundaries, data-loss error handling, security or accessibility.

Does it need an API key?

SKILL.md names no key and bundles no scripts. The plugin route adds Node.js lifecycle hooks, so Node.js must be on your PATH.

Is it safe to use?

The skill itself is plain instructions with no scripts, and it changes how much code Claude writes, so review diffs as usual. The README's plugin route also installs two Node.js lifecycle hooks and a local usage band, which you can skip by installing only the skill folder.

Information

updated Nov 2, 2026

Repository: dietrichgebert/ponytail
Folder: skills/ponytail

dietrichgebert/ponytail skills.sh

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 4

ponytail README · github.com
ponytail INSTALL.md · github.com
ponytail SKILL.md · github.com
ponytail on skills.sh · skills.sh