simplify (brianlovin): a Claude skill that tidies recently changed code without changing behavior

A skill from Brian Lovin's agent-config that makes Claude tidy recently changed code for clarity without changing what it does.

Installs: 20.8K; on skills.sh
Stars: 380; on GitHub
Updated: Mar 2026; last repo commit

simplify makes Claude act as a code simplification specialist. It looks only at code changed in the current session, unless you ask for more, and applies five kinds of refinement: preserve functionality, follow project standards, improve clarity, keep a balance and stay in scope. It follows a six-step process and documents only significant changes.

The standards in the file are opinionated and aimed at JavaScript, TypeScript and React: ES modules with sorted imports, the function keyword over arrow functions, explicit return types on top-level functions, explicit Props types, no nested ternaries. It points to your CLAUDE.md for project standards. The skill is one file with no scripts, and it says it operates autonomously and proactively.

Good for

Developers who want a cleanup pass after Claude writes code
TypeScript and React teams that match the style rules in the skill
Reviewers who want fewer nested ternaries and less redundant code

Install simplify

Claude Code

Copy this prompt.

Install the simplify skill in Claude Code. Run this command:

npx skills add https://github.com/brianlovin/agent-config --skill simplify

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.

From its listing on skills.sh. Source.

What's in the skill

When it loads

Simplify and refine recently modified code for clarity and consistency. Use after writing code to improve readability without changing functionality.

Key facts

Author: Brian Lovin (the brianlovin/agent-config repository)
License: No license listed
Style rules: ES modules, function keyword over arrow functions, explicit return types, explicit Props types, no nested ternaries
Files: 1 file: SKILL.md. No scripts.
Installs on skills.sh: 20,848 as of 2026-11-02
GitHub stars: 380 for the whole brianlovin/agent-config repo, 2026-11-02
Last repo commit: 2026-03-25
skills.sh audits: Gen Agent Trust Hub: pass, Socket: pass, Snyk: pass

What it includes

Change how the code works, never what it does
All original features, outputs and behaviors must stay the same.
Try: “Use simplify on the files I just changed.”
Read · 1. Preserve functionality
Follow the standards from your CLAUDE.md
The file lists ES modules with import sorting, the function keyword over arrow functions, explicit return types on top-level functions, React Props types, avoiding try/catch where possible and consistent naming.
Write · 2. Apply project standards
Less nesting, no redundancy, no nested ternaries
Also removes comments that describe obvious code and prefers switch or if/else chains for several conditions.
Write · 3. Enhance clarity
Avoid over-simplifying
Warns against clever one-liners and against merging too many concerns into one function.
Read · 4. Maintain balance
Only recently modified code
Wider review only when you say so.
Read · 5. Focus scope
Six steps from finding recent changes to documenting them
Identify the changed sections, analyze them, apply standards, check functionality is unchanged, check the result is simpler and note only significant changes.
Write · Refinement process

From the official docs

Permissions

Low risk

Claude edits the source files it recently touched, and the skill says it acts without a separate request. Use a git repository and review the diff.

What it can do

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

Watch out for

It may refactor without being asked
SKILL.md says it operates autonomously and proactively. Check the diff after a coding session so unrelated refactors do not slip in. github.com

Technical details

Scopes	Edits recently modified source files

Questions

What does the simplify skill do?

It makes Claude refine code you recently wrote or changed so it is clearer and more consistent, without changing behavior. By default it looks only at what changed in the current session.

How do I install it?

Use the install box at the top of this page to add this skill alone. The repo README's quick start runs ./install.sh for the author's whole agent config, whose contents include settings.json, a statusline script and seven skills, so you probably do not want that route.

Does it run automatically?

The skill says it operates autonomously and proactively, refining code right after it is written or modified without an explicit request. Whether your agent triggers it that way depends on the agent. You can also call it by name.

Is it safe to use?

It edits your source files, so use it in a git repository and review the diff. It says to preserve exact functionality, but run your tests after it finishes.

Will it follow my project's style?

It tells Claude to follow the standards in your CLAUDE.md, and then lists its own defaults, which are aimed at TypeScript and React. If your project differs, say so in CLAUDE.md or in your prompt.

Is there a similar skill in the same repo?

The README also lists deslop, which removes AI-generated code slop. simplify is a general cleanup of recently changed code. See the README for the full list.

Information

updated Nov 2, 2026

Repository: brianlovin/agent-config
Folder: skills/simplify

brianlovin/agent-config skills.sh

Sources

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

Show all 2

SKILL.md · github.com
README.md · github.com