---

name: complexity-killer description: Audit and remove unnecessary abstractions from the codebase. Use when user wants to simplify, reduce dependencies, or eliminate complexity that slows down AI agents. allowed-tools: "Read,Grep,Glob,Bash(npm:),Bash(cat:)" version: 1.0.0

Complexity Killer

Identify and eliminate abstractions that increase the cost of AI-assisted development.

Core Principle

"The cost of abstraction with AI is very high. Over-abstraction was always annoying and a code smell but now there's an easy solution: spend tokens." — Lee Robinson

Every abstraction between the AI and the raw code/content increases friction. CMSes, ORMs, complex state managers, and UI builders all add layers that agents must navigate.

Instructions

Step 1: Audit Dependencies

Check package.json or equivalent for bloat:

Copy# Count dependencies
cat package.json | grep -c '":'

# Check bundle size
npx vite-bundle-visualizer  # or similar

Flag these high-cost abstractions:

• Headless CMS SDKs (contentful, sanity, strapi)
• Heavy UI frameworks (storybook, when barely used)
• Complex state managers (when context would suffice)
• ORMs (when raw SQL would be clearer)

Step 2: Calculate Abstraction Cost

For each abstraction, assess:

Step 3: Propose Removal Plan

For each flagged abstraction:

1. What replaces it? (usually: raw files, simple code)
2. Migration script needed? (export via API, convert format)
3. What's preserved? (content, functionality)
4. What's deleted? (SDK, config, types)

Step 4: Create Export Scripts

If migrating from external service:

Copy# Pattern: Use existing API keys to export programmatically
import requests

def export_content():
    # Fetch all content via API
    # Convert to markdown/JSON
    # Save to content/ directory
    # Upload assets to object storage
    pass

Step 5: Execute Migration

1. Run export script
2. Delete abstraction dependencies
3. Update imports/references
4. Verify with browser screenshots
5. Measure improvement (build time, bundle size)

Common Targets

CMS → Markdown Files

CopyBefore: Contentful SDK → API call → Transform → Render
After:  Read markdown file → Render

Savings: Network I/O, SDK deps, API rate limits, $$$

Storybook → Simple Component Viewer

CopyBefore: Full Storybook setup, stories files, addons
After:  Single /components page with all components

Savings: Dependencies, build time, CI time

Complex State → Simple Context

CopyBefore: Redux + middleware + devtools + actions + reducers
After:  React Context + useReducer

Savings: Bundle size, mental overhead, files

Output Format

Copy## Complexity Audit

### High-Cost Abstractions Found

1. **[Name]** - [Why it's costly]
   - Replacement: [Simple alternative]
   - Migration effort: [Low/Medium/High]
   - Expected savings: [Build time, deps, $$$]

### Recommended Removal Order

1. [Easiest win first]
2. [Next priority]

### Migration Scripts Needed

- [ ] export_[thing].py
- [ ] convert_[format].py

Remember

• Deletion is a feature
• Simple > Flexible
• If AI can't easily edit it, it's too complex
• Every dependency is a liability