Code Simplifier

CommunityPopular

brycewang-stanford

code-simplifier

Simplify and clean up code after changes are complete. Reduces complexity, improves readability, and ensures consistency.

Overview

Publisher	brycewang-stanford
Repository	`Auto-Empirical-Research-Skills`
Skill name	`code-simplifier`
Stars	3.8K
Forks	479
Bundled files	1
Links	Skill source Repository Homepage

Markdown instructions
A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.
Works with any LLM
AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.
1 bundled files
Scripts, templates, and references the model can read while it works. Files are read-only and never executed.
Open source
Published by brycewang-stanford on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Code Simplifier AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
Choose "Install from GitHub".
Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Store

Installed

Skills

Add skills

Import one or more skills from a public GitHub folder or a local .skill or .zip archive, or SKILL.md file.

From GitHub URLFrom .skill, .zip, or SKILL.md

GitHub repo or folder

https://github.com/brycewang-stanford/Auto-Empirical-Research-Skills/tree/main/skills/09-meleantonio-awesome-econ-ai-stuff/_skills/engineering/code-simplifier

Points to a single skill folder, or any folder that contains multiple skills. Public repos only.

CancelContinue

Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/brycewang-stanford/Auto-Empirical-Research-Skills.git /tmp/Auto-Empirical-Research-Skills
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/Auto-Empirical-Research-Skills/skills/09-meleantonio-awesome-econ-ai-stuff/_skills/engineering/code-simplifier .claude/skills/code-simplifier

Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Code Simplifier in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Code Simplifier on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Code Simplifier is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

Loaded only when it is needed
The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.
Switch models mid-chat
Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Code Simplifier

Clean up and simplify code after making changes.

When to Use

Run this skill after completing a feature or fix to ensure the code is clean, readable, and maintainable.

Simplification Goals

Reduce Complexity

Break long functions into smaller, focused ones
Reduce nesting depth (max 3 levels)
Simplify complex conditionals
Extract magic numbers to named constants

Improve Readability

Use descriptive variable and function names
Add clarifying comments for non-obvious logic
Ensure consistent formatting
Remove unnecessary comments

Apply Pythonic Patterns

Use list/dict/set comprehensions where appropriate
Use with statements for resource management
Use enumerate() instead of manual indexing
Use zip() for parallel iteration
Use f-strings for formatting
Use pathlib for file paths

Clean Up

Remove unused imports
Remove unused variables
Remove commented-out code
Remove redundant code paths
Consolidate duplicate logic

Workflow

Identify Changed Files
- Focus on files modified in the current session
- Or specify files/directories as arguments
Analyze Each File
- Check for simplification opportunities
- Prioritize high-impact improvements
Apply Simplifications
- Make incremental changes
- Preserve original behavior
- Run tests after each change
Format and Lint
- Run ruff format .
- Run ruff check --fix .
Verify
- Run tests: pytest
- Ensure behavior unchanged

Arguments

Optionally specify files or directories to simplify.

Usage:

/code-simplifier - Simplify recently changed files
/code-simplifier src/module.py - Simplify specific file
/code-simplifier src/ - Simplify entire directory

Example Transformations

Before:

python
result = []
for i in range(len(items)):
    if items[i].is_valid == True:
        result.append(items[i].value)

After:

python
result = [item.value for item in items if item.is_valid]

Before:

python
if x != None:
    if y != None:
        if z != None:
            process(x, y, z)

After:

python
if all(v is not None for v in (x, y, z)):
    process(x, y, z)

Bundled files

The model reads these on demand while the skill is loaded. They are exposed as readable files and are never executed.

index.md3 KB

Frequently asked questions

What does the Code Simplifier AI skill do?

Simplify and clean up code after changes are complete. Reduces complexity, improves readability, and ensures consistency.

Why use Code Simplifier on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Code Simplifier is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Code Simplifier in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/brycewang-stanford/Auto-Empirical-Research-Skills/tree/main/skills/09-meleantonio-awesome-econ-ai-stuff/_skills/engineering/code-simplifier. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and bundles its files and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Code Simplifier?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Code Simplifier?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Code Simplifier with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Code Simplifier AI skill free?

It is published on GitHub by brycewang-stanford. Check the repository for licensing terms. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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Overview

Installation

Install in TypingMind

Install in another agent

Use it in TypingMind

Works with any AI model

Skill instructions

Code Simplifier

When to Use

Simplification Goals

Reduce Complexity

Improve Readability

Apply Pythonic Patterns

Clean Up

Workflow

Arguments

Example Transformations

Bundled files

Frequently asked questions

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