Is that the simplest you can do?
Going Kissinger Mode
[ MAIN IDEA: SIMPLIFY AS A PROCESS ]
In the last seventeen days, I’ve merged 266 Compass Calendar PRs. That’s 16 per day, a 14X increase since June.
One reason why I feel comfortable pushing so much code is that I enforce simplicity in each PR. Here’s how:
A “/simplify” skill runs on every PR, which creates a commit that reduces complexity. Since this is a new commit, I can review it to ensure that we’re preventing sloppy abstractions.
A PR template has a “Simplicity” heading, where the agent has to explain what was simplified or why the implementation is already minimal.
My system prompt explains the supreme value of simplicity.
I do a manual sweep of the code and keep a list of things I want simplified, and then kick off another session
Basically, I’m letting the agent do the first implementation. Then I’m nagging it to simplify things without breaking tests. Then I’m nagging it again to simplify it further.
It’s the equivalent of Henry Kissinger repeatedly asking his assistant, “Is this the best you can do?” before reading a draft. After a few rounds of revisions, the assistant eventually spats back, “Damn it, yes, it’s the best I can do!” Kissinger replies, smugly, “Fine, then I guess I’ll read it this time.”
When your assistants’ tokens are less expensive than your time, why not set a high bar before reviewing yourself?
If you’ve found a clever way to keep things simply, reply here to LMK.
[ INSPO ]
[ MORE ]
Kissinger: a biography (archive.org)