# Reducing Entropy

Manual-only skill for minimizing total codebase size.

- Repository: https://github.com/softaworks/agent-toolkit (2611 stars)
- Category: Engineering
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-03-05
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add softaworks/agent-toolkit --skill reducing-entropy -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add softaworks/agent-toolkit --skill reducing-entropy -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add softaworks/agent-toolkit --skill reducing-entropy -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add softaworks/agent-toolkit --skill reducing-entropy -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add softaworks/agent-toolkit`

## Description

Manual-only skill for minimizing total codebase size. Only activate when explicitly requested by user. Measures success by final code amount, not effort. Bias toward deletion.

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

# Reducing Entropy

More code begets more code. Entropy accumulates. This skill biases toward the smallest possible codebase.

**Core question:** "What does the codebase look like *after*?"

## Before You Begin

**Load at least one mindset from `references/`**

1. List the files in the reference directory
2. Read frontmatter descriptions to pick which applies
3. Load at least one
4. State which you loaded and its core principle

**Do not proceed until you've done this.**

## The Goal

The goal is **less total code in the final codebase** - not less code to write right now.

- Writing 50 lines that delete 200 lines = net win
- Keeping 14 functions to avoid writing 2 = net loss
- "No churn" is not a goal. Less code is the goal.

**Measure the end state, not the effort.**

## Three Questions

### 1. What's the smallest codebase that solves this?

Not "what's the smallest change" - what's the smallest *result*.

- Could this be 2 functions instead of 14?
- Could this be 0 functions (delete the feature)?
- What would we delete if we did this?

### 2. Does the proposed change result in less total code?

Count lines before and after. If after > before, reject it.

- "Better organized" but more code = more entropy
- "More flexible" but more code = more entropy
- "Cleaner separation" but more code = more entropy

### 3. What can we delete?

Every change is an opportunity to delete. Ask:

- What does this make obsolete?
- What was only needed because of what we're replacing?
- What's the maximum we could remove?

## Red Flags

- **"Keep what exists"** - Status quo bias. The question is total code, not churn.
- **"This adds flexibility"** - Flexibility for what? YAGNI.
- **"Better separation of concerns"** - More files/functions = more code. Separation isn't free.
- **"Type safety"** - Worth how many lines? Sometimes runtime checks in less code wins.
- **"Easier to understand"** - 14 things are not easier than 2 things.

## When This Doesn't Apply

The rest: https://github.com/softaworks/agent-toolkit/blob/HEAD/dist/plugins/reducing-entropy/skills/reducing-entropy/SKILL.md