Simple English Skill for Claude Code: Plain-English Writing
Makes Claude write and rewrite documents and replies in plain, short-sentence English, for anyone whose readers are not experts.
- Installs
- 14.1K
- on skills.sh
- Stars
- 4.1K
- on GitHub
- Files
- 4
- besides SKILL.md
- Updated
- Oct 2026
- last repo commit
Simple English changes how Claude writes. For documents it uses short sentences, active voice, simple tenses and one word per meaning, and it puts the condition before the command. For chat replies it answers first, in prose, with no em-dashes, bold, headers or bullet lists.
It has three modes. Plain is the default. Strict adds the ASD-STE100 vocabulary discipline when you name STE or compliance. Check mode reviews text and reports each rule violation with a rewrite. The skill folder is only instructions. The optional plugin adds hooks that run scripts, covered under permissions.
Good for
- Engineers writing READMEs, runbooks and error messages
- Technical writers preparing text that translates well
- Anyone who wants AI replies with less filler and formatting
Install simple-english
Claude Code
- 1
Copy this prompt.
Install the simple-english skill in Claude Code. Run this command: npx skills add AminBlg/SimpleEnglish Then check that it loaded and tell me how to use it.
- 2
Paste it into Claude Code. It shows the change and asks before running it.
Requires Node.js.
The skills CLI route installs the skill only, with no hooks. The plugin route adds the hooks and the simple-english:simple-english output style. Select the style with /config under Output style.
From the project README. Source.
What's in the skill
When it loads
Write or rewrite text in plain, layman-readable English in the spirit of ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English: short sentences, active voice, simple tenses, one word one meaning, condition before command, every technical term defined at first use, no AI slop. Default mode is Plain. Strict mode applies full STE vocabulary compliance when the user names STE, ASD-STE100, or compliance. Use for documentation, READMEs, runbooks, procedures, error messages, release notes, incident reports, API guides, and explanations for readers outside the field. Also use when the user says "STE", "Simplified Technical English", "ASD-STE100", "plain English", "layman's terms", "explain it simply", "no jargon", "de-slop", "make this readable", "write for non-native readers", or asks for docs that translate well. The same rules govern the reply: answer first, prose only.
Sections in SKILL.md
- The Document
- The Reply
- Self-Check Before You Deliver
- Modes
- Limits
- References
Key facts
- Author
- AminBlg
- Repository
- aminblg/simpleenglish
- Installs on skills.sh
- 14,057 as of 2026-11-02
- GitHub stars
- 4,111 for the whole aminblg/simpleenglish repo
- Last repo commit
- 2026-10-05
- skills.sh audits
- Gen Agent Trust Hub: pass; Socket: pass; Snyk: pass
What it includes
12 rules for writing or rewriting documentation
Classify text as procedural or descriptive, keep code and facts untouched, put conditions first, use simple tenses and active voice, use can, will and must instead of should, may and might, and define terms at first use.
Try: “Rewrite this README section with simple-english.”
The Document6 rules that apply to every chat reply
Answer in prose, give the answer in the first sentence, use no em-dashes, define a concept term in a few words, use no contractions, openers or closers, and never shorten quoted errors or destructive-action warnings.
The ReplyA list of patterns to search for before delivering
For replies, search for em-dashes, bold, headers and list lines. For documents, count the longest sentences and search for apostrophes, has been, should, may, semicolons and similar patterns.
Self-checkFull STE vocabulary rules when you name STE or compliance
Reads references/strict-vocabulary.md first and says once that no tool guarantees compliance. The reply stays in Plain mode.
Strict modeReports each violation with the rule, the text and a rewrite
Opens references/rule-catalog.md (53 rules of Issue 9) and never cites a rule number from memory.
Try: “Check this runbook against STE rules.”
Check modeWord swaps and use cases
word-swaps.md maps overused words to plain ones. use-cases.md names the mode and pattern for error messages, runbooks, incident reports, release notes, commits, agent prompts, UI copy and translation prep.
Reference filesNot for marketing or brand copy
The rules delete persuasion, so SKILL.md says to decline them for marketing text and offer them for docs instead.
Limits
From the official docs
Permissions
Low risk
The skill alone is instructions. The Claude Code plugin adds three hooks that run local scripts, so choose the skills CLI route if you want no hooks.
What it can do
- Read your data
- Create and change things
- Delete things
- Read-only mode
Watch out for
The Claude Code plugin runs three hooks
A SessionStart hook runs a Node script, and PostToolUse and Stop hooks run a Python script. The hooks README says the file check lints Markdown files and the Stop check reads the last reply, and that both are advisory and do not block. github.com
The Codex plugin needs you to trust a hook
Codex runs one SessionStart hook and asks you to review and trust it before its first run. github.com
The output style needs the plugin
The README says setting the output style without the plugin does nothing. The skills CLI installs the skill only. github.com
Security advisories
No published security advisories as of Nov 2, 2026.
Technical details
| Turning on read-only | No read-only switch is documented. Setting SIMPLE_ENGLISH_LINT_EXCLUDE to * turns off the file check after Write and Edit only. The Stop reply check stays on, per the hooks README. |
|---|---|
| Sign-in and keys | The plugin manifest and hooks README name no credentials. |
| Scopes |
|
Questions
What does the Simple English skill do?
It makes Claude write plain English in the style of ASD-STE100, the controlled language used in aerospace manuals. Documents get short sentences and clear steps, and chat replies get the answer first with no heavy formatting.
How do I install it?
Use the install box above. The skills CLI installs the skill only. The Claude Code and Codex plugins also install a session hook, and the Claude Code plugin adds an output style, per the README.
Does the skill alone load automatically?
The README says the plugin hook loads the rules at session start so you need not name the skill. With the skill only, Claude loads it when your request matches its description, for example docs, runbooks or "plain English".
Will it make my text STE-certified?
No. SKILL.md says no tool can guarantee ASD-STE100 compliance, and the standard is a free download at asd-ste100.org. Strict mode applies more of the rules.
Does it need an API key?
No file in the skill asks for one. The plugin hooks need Node.js, and the Claude Code writing checks use python3.
Can I use it for marketing copy?
It is not meant for that. SKILL.md says the rules are for facts and instructions because they remove persuasion.
Is it safe to install?
The skill folder bundles no scripts. The Claude Code plugin does add hooks that run a Node script at session start and a Python script after file writes and at the end of each reply. The hooks README says the checks only advise and do not block. Read the permissions section before installing the plugin.
Information
updated Nov 2, 2026
- Repository
- aminblg/simpleenglish
- Folder
skills/simple-english
Sources
Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.
Show all 7Hide
- Using skills in Claude · support.claude.com
- AminBlg/SimpleEnglish README · github.com
- src/hooks/README.md · github.com
- simple-english SKILL.md · github.com
- rule-catalog.md · github.com
- Claude plugin.json · github.com
- Codex hooks.json · github.com