Reducing Entropy

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.