First-Principles Subtraction Review
Before calling the work done, revisit the goal and challenge weak assumptions and unnecessary complexity. Prioritize deletion, simplification, optimization, then automation, and leave good work unchanged.
Editor's note
Use this as a follow-up in the same conversation after an AI has completed an implementation. It asks the model to revisit the goal, remove unnecessary parts, and only then simplify what remains. The explicit permission to leave good work unchanged helps avoid changes made merely to show activity. For code projects, work within the existing authorization and use the relevant project checks to confirm that core behavior still holds.
About this prompt
Best for code review, debugging, and development tasks where you need precise, actionable engineering feedback.
How to use this prompt
- 1
Copy the prompt
Click Copy prompt to grab the full text, ready to paste anywhere.
- 2
Paste into your AI tool
Drop it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any AI assistant you use.
- 3
Run or refine
Run it against the current project or conversation. Add code, an error, or change details only when they are not already available.
Frequently asked questions
What is the First-Principles Subtraction Review prompt for?
Before calling the work done, revisit the goal and challenge weak assumptions and unnecessary complexity. Prioritize deletion, simplification, optimization, then automation, and leave good work unchanged.
How do I use this prompt with ChatGPT or other AI tools?
Copy the prompt, paste it into your AI assistant, and send it. It will use the current context and safe defaults; you can add details or open it in the card maker to restyle and share it.
Is this prompt free to copy and customize?
Yes. Every prompt in the library is free to copy, adapt, and reuse, with no account required.
