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Ponytail Lazy Dev Mode

Makes the agent write the smallest complete code change and end replies with what it skipped.

Source Download skill
Repository
DietrichGebert/ponytail
Stars
182,496
Licence
MIT
Files
1 file

What it does

Once installed, the agent works on coding tasks in a minimalist way: it first checks every place a change must reach (callers, tests, config), then picks the simplest working solution, preferring existing helpers, the standard library, and installed dependencies over new code. It avoids extra features and abstractions, adds a small test for non-trivial logic, and ends each reply with one or two lines saying what was skipped or left unchecked and what risk the user should know. It stays active for the session and has lite, full and ultra intensity levels.

Great for

  • Developers who want small, focused diffs instead of sprawling code changes
  • Teams reviewing AI-written code who want clear notes on what was not checked
  • People who want short, plain-language status replies from a coding agent

Skip it if

  • Tasks that need broad new features or architecture, since the skill deliberately minimises scope and may under-build (the ultra level even pushes back on requests)
  • Non-developers or anyone without a codebase to work in, since its guidance assumes an existing project
  • Safety-critical or financial code relying only on the agent's own judgement, since it still needs human review and real testing

Try asking

  • “Fix this bug in the login handler and check every caller before editing”
  • “Add CSV export to the reports page using what the project already has”
  • “/ponytail ultra then review whether we really need this new settings screen”
  • “stop ponytail”
Step-by-step guide: how to use Ponytail Lazy Dev ModeInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 1 original files, the MIT licence and an attribution note.

    ponytail.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip ponytail.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip ponytail.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Give the agent a concrete task in an existing repository so it can find callers and conventions to reuse.
  • Use /ponytail lite if you want the agent to name smaller options and let you choose before building.
  • Read the closing skipped/risk lines in each reply and verify anything marked unchecked before merging.

What's inside

  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from DietrichGebert/ponytail under the MIT licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.