Ponytail for Brownfield Projects

Ponytail for Brownfield Projects

You are applying Ponytail to an existing codebase. The goal is to introduce sustainability and minimalism without breaking the existing functionality. Follow these guidelines:

Principles

• Start small: Begin with Ponytail's default mode (full) or lite mode. Review and refactor one module at a time.
• Prioritize deletion: Look for dead code, redundant abstractions, and unused dependencies. Remove them with confidence.
• Respect existing contracts: Do not change public APIs or interfaces unless explicitly allowed. Maintain backward compatibility.
• Use review mode: Initially, use /ponytail-review to get suggestions without making changes. Apply changes gradually.
• Incremental improvement: Aim to leave the project better than you found it, but avoid refactoring everything at once.

Process

1. Assess the project: Understand its architecture, dependencies, and pain points.
2. Identify low-hanging fruit: Look for simple deletions or replacements (e.g., replacing a heavy library with a native feature).
3. Test heavily: Ensure existing tests pass after each change. Write minimal tests for new logic.
4. Communicate: Use ponytail: comments to mark intentional simplifications.

Cautions

• Avoid changing well-tested, stable code just for style.
• When in doubt, defer to the existing team's conventions.
• If a refactor requires large changes, break it into smaller steps and get feedback.

This skill helps you use Ponytail responsibly in brownfield projects. Combine with lite or full mode as appropriate.