20 of the best prompts for simplify code structure and design, step by step across 4 stages. Works with ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
20 of the best prompts for simplify code structure and design, step by step across 4 stages. Works with ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
Published July 2, 2026
Overengineering can lead to unnecessary complexity in your application, making it harder to maintain and understand. If left unresolved, this can result in increased development time and potential bugs. By following this guide, you will streamline your code, making it simpler and more efficient to work with. Built across 4 distinct stages covering Diagnose the Wall, Isolate and Fix, Verify the Resolution and more, this guide gives you one expert prompt per step so you never have to write from scratch or guess what the AI needs. The prompts work in ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini and are designed to get usable output on the first try.
Look for instances where the AI has added unnecessary abstraction layers or design patterns in your code. Check the specific function or component that seems overly complex.
Quote the Unnecessary Abstraction
Please quote the exact output generated by the function 'calculateTax' in the file 'taxCalculator.js'. Then, compare this output to the original requirement, which was to perform a straightforward tax calculation without any unnecessary abstractions. Highlight any discrepancies you find between the output and the original requirement, and provide a brief explanation of how the additional layers affect the functionality.
Paste and Analyze Function
Please paste the 'calculateTax' function from 'taxCalculator.js' below. Analyze the function for any modifications made to it, and identify any unnecessary design patterns or abstractions that have been introduced. Provide a detailed explanation of how these changes impact the function's performance and readability, and suggest improvements to simplify the design.
Interpret Original Instruction
Please explain your interpretation of the original instruction to create a simple tax calculation function. In your response, clarify any misunderstandings that may have contributed to overengineering this function. Additionally, provide a concise summary of the key elements that should be included in a straightforward implementation of the tax calculation, ensuring that it remains efficient and focused on the core requirements.
Expected vs. Actual Behavior
List the expected behavior of the 'calculateTax' function, which should return a simple numeric value based on the input provided. Then, compare this expected behavior to the actual output generated by the AI. Highlight any added complexity or discrepancies in the output, and provide a brief explanation of how the actual output deviates from the expected behavior. Format your response in a clear comparison table with columns for 'Expected Behavior', 'Actual Output', and 'Notes on Complexity'.
Identify Violated Constraints
Identify the specific rule or constraint that was violated in the implementation of the 'calculateTax' function. Please quote the exact clause from the design guidelines that states the requirement for simplicity in function design. Additionally, provide an explanation of how this violation impacts the overall code quality and suggest a revised version of the function that adheres to the simplicity requirement.
Target the specific function or component that has been overengineered. Focus on simplifying its structure and removing unnecessary abstractions.
Inline Fix for Function Signature
Revert the 'calculateTax' function in 'taxCalculator.js' to its original signature: 'function calculateTax(income)'. Ensure that any additional parameters that were added unnecessarily are completely removed. After making these changes, provide a brief explanation of the impact of this modification on the function's usability and performance.
Rewrite with Explicit Simplicity Constraint
Rewrite the 'calculateTax' function in 'taxCalculator.js' to ensure it performs a direct calculation without any additional abstractions or design patterns. The function should take in parameters for income and tax rate, and return the calculated tax amount. Please provide the updated code along with a brief explanation of how it meets the simplicity constraint.
Scoped Change to Remove Layers
Please modify the 'calculateTax' function in the 'taxCalculator.js' file. Your task is to eliminate any nested functions or classes that have been introduced, ensuring that the implementation remains straightforward and focused solely on the core tax calculation. Provide the revised code along with a brief explanation of the changes made and how they simplify the function.
Enforce Function Format
Please review the 'calculateTax' function in the 'taxCalculator.js' file. Ensure it adheres to the following format: 'function calculateTax(income) { return income * 0.2; }'. If there is any additional code present that does not conform to this structure, remove it and provide a revised version of the function that meets the specified format.
Correct Unnecessary Imports
Review the imports in the file 'taxCalculator.js' and identify any libraries or modules that are not necessary for the tax calculation functionality. Provide a list of the unnecessary imports along with a brief explanation of why each one can be removed. Finally, suggest an updated version of the file with only the essential imports retained.
Confirm that the changes made have simplified the function and that it now performs as expected. Check the output of the function.
Run a Test for Simplified Function
Please run a test for the 'calculateTax' function located in 'taxCalculator.js'. Use an input value of 1000 and verify that the output equals 200. If the output is correct, provide a brief explanation of how this confirms that the function has been simplified and is functioning as intended.
Show Diff of Changes Made
Please provide a detailed comparison of the changes made to the file 'taxCalculator.js'. Highlight the specific lines where unnecessary abstractions have been removed and explain how the updated function aligns with the original requirements. Additionally, include a summary of the overall impact of these changes on the function's performance and readability.
Replay Original Failing Scenario
Replay the original scenario where the 'calculateTax' function failed due to complexity. Verify that the function now executes correctly without any errors. Provide a detailed explanation of the changes made to resolve the issue and include any relevant test cases that demonstrate the function's correct behavior.
Check Edge Case for Simplicity
Please test the 'calculateTax' function using an edge case input of 0. Confirm that the output is 0, and provide a brief explanation of how this demonstrates the function's ability to handle edge cases simply and effectively. Additionally, include any relevant details about the expected behavior of the function in this scenario.
Confirm Function Output State
Verify the output of the 'calculateTax' function in 'taxCalculator.js'. Confirm that the output is a simple numeric value and does not produce any complex objects or structures. Provide a brief explanation of how you validated this and include any relevant test cases or examples that demonstrate the expected output.
Create artefacts that will prevent the recurrence of overengineering in future development. Focus on guidelines and constraints.
Simplicity Enforcement Instruction
Before implementing any function, please verify that it adheres to the principle of simplicity. If you identify any unnecessary abstractions, provide a simplified version of the function and explain how it aligns with the simplicity principle. Ensure that the final implementation is straightforward and easy to understand.
Design Pattern Constraint Message
Draft a project convention message that clearly states: 'All functions must be designed to perform a single task without introducing additional design patterns.' Include a brief explanation of the importance of this guideline and instruct team members to review each function for adherence to this principle before finalizing their work. Format the message in a way that it can be easily shared with the team, ensuring clarity and emphasis on the key points.
Code Comment Guard for Simplicity
Please add a comment guard in the 'taxCalculator.js' file. The comment should read: '// Ensure this function remains simple and direct. Any future changes must not introduce additional complexity or abstractions.' Additionally, provide a brief explanation of why maintaining simplicity in this function is important for code maintainability and readability.
Simplicity Check Self-Request
Before deploying the project, please confirm that all functions adhere to the simplicity constraint. Identify and list any functions that do not comply with this requirement, providing a brief explanation for each non-compliant function. Ensure the output is structured in a clear format, highlighting the function names and the reasons for their non-compliance.
Function Complexity Review Template
Please create a function complexity review template that includes the following sections: 'Function Name: [NAME]', 'Purpose: [PURPOSE]', and 'Simplicity Adherence: [YES/NO]'. If the function does not adhere to simplicity, please list the complexities introduced and suggest specific simplifications. Ensure the template is structured clearly for easy use in future reviews.
Look for functions or components that have unnecessary layers or complex design patterns. Replit's AI may introduce these during code generation, so review the output against your original requirements.
Simplify the function by removing unnecessary abstractions and focusing on its core purpose. Replit's AI can sometimes add complexity, so ensure your function adheres to a straightforward design.
Replit's AI may generate functions with added layers to enhance functionality, but this can lead to overengineering. Always verify that the generated code aligns with your intended simplicity.
Signs include nested functions, excessive parameters, or complex return types. Replit's AI might create these when interpreting broader instructions, so check for alignment with your specific needs.
Establish clear guidelines for function design that prioritize simplicity. Use Replit's AI instructions to remind the AI to avoid unnecessary complexity in future implementations.
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