Base

This is the foundational layer that enforces radical simplicity across everything you build. Hard limits on file size (200 lines), function length (20 lines), and nesting depth (2 levels) with immediate refactoring when you hit them. It bakes in TDD workflow where every todo requires test cases written first, then implementation, then validation gates before marking complete. The atomic todos system is detailed, tracking dependencies, test criteria, and execution logs. It's opinionated about functional core with imperative shell, composition over inheritance, and flat module structures. Always loaded, never optional. If you want guardrails that prevent codebases from turning into spaghetti, this is the enforcement layer.

skills.sh installs: 173
GitHub stars: 685
last updated: Jun 3, 2026

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Install

$ npx -y skills add alinaqi/claude-bootstrap --skill base --agent claude-code

Installs into .claude/skills of the current project.

Files

Base Skill - Universal Patterns

Core Principle

Complexity is the enemy. Every line of code is a liability. The goal is software simple enough that any engineer (or AI) can understand the entire system in one session.

Simplicity Rules

These limits apply to every file created or modified.

Function Level

Maximum 20 lines per function - if longer, decompose IMMEDIATELY
Maximum 3 parameters per function - if more, use an options object or decompose
Maximum 2 levels of nesting - flatten with early returns or extract functions
Single responsibility - each function does exactly one thing
Descriptive names over comments - if you need a comment to explain what, rename it

File Level

Maximum 200 lines per file - if longer, split by responsibility BEFORE continuing
Maximum 10 functions per file - keeps cognitive load manageable
One export focus per file - a file should have one primary purpose