Agent skill · software engineering · cursor
principle-subtract-before-you-add
Apply when sequencing an addition, refactor, or rewrite. Remove dead code, redundant validators, and stub references first, then build on the simpler base.
Why this skill is useful
Codifies a design principle that helps the AI avoid unnecessary complexity in system evolution.
What it needs
About 1k tokens when loaded. Last updated 2026-08-06. 2,555 stars on the source repository.
What this skill does
Subtract Before You Add When evolving a system, remove complexity first, then build. Why: Adding to a complex system compounds complexity. Removing first leaves less code, reveals the essential structure, and usually makes the next design obvious. 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. The pattern: 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
How to use it
Reference it in AdaL, Claude Code, Cursor or any coding agent — nothing to install:
@skills cursor/principle-subtract-before-you-add