# Principle Subtract Before You Add

Apply when sequencing an addition, refactor, or rewrite.

- Repository: https://github.com/michael-denyer/pstack-claude (3725 stars)
- Category: Engineering
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-30
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add michael-denyer/pstack-claude --skill principle-subtract-before-you-add -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add michael-denyer/pstack-claude --skill principle-subtract-before-you-add -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add michael-denyer/pstack-claude --skill principle-subtract-before-you-add -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add michael-denyer/pstack-claude --skill principle-subtract-before-you-add -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add michael-denyer/pstack-claude`

## Description

Apply when sequencing an addition, refactor, or rewrite. Remove dead code, redundant validators, and stub references first, then build on the simpler base.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Subtract Before You Add

When evolving a system, remove complexity first, then build. Default to subtraction.

Make simplification a continual investment. Leave the design slightly simpler and more capable behind the same or smaller surface than you found it.

- Sequence removal before construction
- Cut before you polish (get to the minimum before investing in quality)
- Design for observed usage, not speculative edge cases
- No speculative validators, parsers, or guards beyond what the spec demands
- Simplify prompts (remove redundant instructions, excessive templates)
- When a reference has no novel content, delete it rather than leaving a stub