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/

• List the files in the reference directory
• Read frontmatter descriptions to pick which applies
• Load at least one
• 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.

• "Better organized" but more code = more entropy
• "More flexible" but more code = more entropy
• "Cleaner separation" but more code = more entropy

3. What can we delete?

Every change is an opportunity to delete. Ask:

• What does this make obsolete?
• What was only needed because of what we're replacing?
• What's the maximum we could remove?

Red Flags

• "Keep what exists" - Status quo bias. The question is total code, not churn.
• "This adds flexibility" - Flexibility for what? YAGNI.
• "Better separation of concerns" - More files/functions = more code. Separation isn't free.
• "Type safety" - Worth how many lines? Sometimes runtime checks in less code wins.
• "Easier to understand" - 14 things are not easier than 2 things.

When This Doesn't Apply

• The codebase is already minimal for what it does
• You're in a framework with strong conventions (don't fight it)
• Regulatory/compliance requirements mandate certain structures

Reference Mindsets

See references/ for philosophical grounding.

To add new mindsets, see adding-reference-mindsets.md.

Bias toward deletion. Measure the end state.