About simplify
simplify is a design skill for reducing the cognitive load of content, flows, and interfaces. It assesses complexity, simplifies language and interactions, then presents changes with rationale.
Key features
- 01Assess intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load
- 02Rewrite text in plain language
- 03Reduce visual and interaction complexity
- 04Show annotated before-and-after versions
- 05Provide a change log
Use cases
- 01Simplifying instructions and user-facing copy
- 02Reducing distractions in an interface
- 03Reviewing a flow for cognitive accessibility
Install
Copy the command and run it in a terminal.
npx skills add https:/After installing, type/simplifyin Claude Code to confirm it loaded.
Details
From the project READMESimplify
Take existing content, a flow, or an interface and produce a cognitively simplified version.
Process
Step 1: Assess Current Load
Using cognitive-load-assessment, evaluate the current state. Identify the highest-load elements and classify them as intrinsic or extraneous.
Step 2: Simplify Language
Using plain-language-design, rewrite all user-facing text:
- Reduce to grade 6–8 reading level (grade 4–6 for critical content)
- Replace jargon with plain alternatives
- Shorten sentences to 15–20 words maximum
- Make every instruction specific and single-action
Step 3: Reduce Visual and Interaction Load
Using focus-attention-design, reduce the interface to essentials:
- Identify the one primary action per screen
- De-emphasise or remove secondary elements
- Remove decorative elements that don't serve the task
- Simplify navigation to the minimum effective depth
Step 4: Present Before and After
Show the original alongside the simplified version with annotations explaining each change and why it improves cognitive accessibility.
Output
Deliver the simplified version with a change log that explains every modification. This allows the team to make informed decisions about which simplifications to adopt.