ponytail
Enforces lazy, minimal coding solutions to prevent over-engineering.
Install
mkdir -p .claude/skills/ponytail && curl -L -o skill.zip "https://agentskills.codes/api/skills/download/15629" && unzip -o skill.zip -d .claude/skills/ponytail && rm skill.zipInstalls to .claude/skills/ponytail
Activation
This is the description your AI agent reads to decide when to run this skill — the better it matches your request, the more reliably it fires.
Forces the laziest solution that actually works, simplest, shortest, most minimal. Channels a senior dev who has seen everything: question whether the task needs to exist at all (YAGNI), reach for the standard library before custom code, native platform features before dependencies, one line before fifty. Supports intensity levels: lite, full (default), ultra. Use on ANY coding task: writing, adding, refactoring, fixing, reviewing, or designing code, and choosing libraries or dependencies. Also use whenever the user says "ponytail", "be lazy", "lazy mode", "simplest solution", "minimal solution", "yagni", "do less", or "shortest path", or complains about over-engineering, bloat, boilerplate, or unnecessary dependencies. Do NOT use for non-coding requests (general knowledge, prose, translation, summaries, recipes).Key capabilities
- →Question if a task needs to exist at all (YAGNI principle)
- →Reuse existing helpers, utils, or patterns within the codebase
- →Utilize standard library features before custom code
- →use native platform features over external dependencies
- →Prioritize one-line solutions over longer implementations
- →Identify and fix the root cause of bugs, not just symptoms
How it works
This skill enforces a 'laziest solution' approach by following a ladder of priorities: questioning necessity, reusing existing code, using standard libraries, native features, and minimal code, always fixing root causes.
Inputs & outputs
When to use ponytail
- →Writing minimal code
- →Removing unnecessary dependencies
- →Simplifying architectural designs
- →Refactoring bloated logic
About ponytail
Prioritizes native platform features and standard libraries over complex dependencies. It encourages developers to ask if a task is necessary before writing any code.
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When not to use it
- →For non-coding requests like general knowledge, prose, translation, summaries, or recipes
- →When input validation at trust boundaries needs to be simplified away
- →When error handling that prevents data loss needs to be simplified away
Limitations
- →Never simplify away input validation at trust boundaries
- →Never simplify away error handling that prevents data loss
- →Never simplify away security measures or accessibility basics
How it compares
This skill systematically prioritizes minimalism and efficiency in coding by questioning the need for tasks and preferring native, standard solutions, which contrasts with approaches that might over-engineer or add unnecessary dependencies.
Compared to similar skills
ponytail side by side with the closest alternatives in the catalog.
| Skill | Installs | Updated | Safety | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ponytail (this skill) | 0 | 1mo | No flags | Intermediate |
| software-architecture | 333 | 6mo | No flags | Intermediate |
| oracle | 17 | 3mo | Review | Intermediate |
| clojure-write | 16 | 3mo | No flags | Intermediate |
Try saying
Example prompts that trigger this skill in your AI assistant.
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