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name: code-minimization description: Write minimum necessary code following YAGNI principle to prevent bloat and over-engineering. Use when implementing features to keep the codebase lean and avoid premature optimization or speculative features.

Code Minimization

Instructions

Write minimum code

Implement what's needed NOW, not what MIGHT be needed.

Avoid:

• Premature optimization
• Speculative features
• Over-abstraction
• Unnecessary complexity

YAGNI principle

You Aren't Gonna Need It

Example

Python Example

# ❌ Over-engineered
class ValidatorFactory:
    def create(self, type):
        if type == 'basic': return BasicValidator()
        elif type == 'advanced': return AdvancedValidator()
        # 10 more types... (only use BasicValidator!)

# ✅ Minimal
class EntityValidator:
    def validate(self, entity):
        return entity.required_field is not None

JavaScript/Node.js Example

// ❌ Over-engineered
class ValidatorFactory {
    create(type) {
        if (type === 'basic') return new BasicValidator();
        else if (type === 'advanced') return new AdvancedValidator();
        // 10 more types... (only use BasicValidator!)
    }
}

// ✅ Minimal
class EntityValidator {
    validate(entity) {
        return entity.requiredField !== null && entity.requiredField !== undefined;
    }
}

Go Example

// ❌ Over-engineered
type ValidatorFactory struct{}

func (f *ValidatorFactory) Create(validatorType string) Validator {
    switch validatorType {
    case "basic":
        return &BasicValidator{}
    case "advanced":
        return &AdvancedValidator{}
    // 10 more types... (only use BasicValidator!)
    }
    return nil
}

// ✅ Minimal
type EntityValidator struct{}

func (v *EntityValidator) Validate(entity *Entity) bool {
    return entity.RequiredField != ""
}

Guidelines

Do: Solve current requirements simply Don't: Add "maybe later" features

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For detailed patterns, see reference.md For more examples, see examples.md