Clean Code

These are mandatory engineering standards for any code you write, change, or review while this skill is active. They are language-agnostic: apply them in whatever language the project uses, respecting that language's idioms.

If there is tension between speed and cleanliness, choose the clean solution unless there is a demonstrated operational emergency. If a shortcut is unavoidable, contain it, make it obvious, and leave the code safe to clean up later.

For detailed rationale, examples, and design heuristics, read reference.md — consult it when a rule needs interpretation or when you face a non-obvious design decision.

Core Rules

1. Leave the code cleaner