Distill

1---2name: distill3description: Strip designs to their essence by removing unnecessary complexity. Great design is simple, powerful, and clean. Use when the user asks to simplify, declutter, reduce noise, remove elements, or make a UI cleaner and more focused.4version: 2.1.15user-invocable: true6argument-hint: "[target]"7---8 9Remove unnecessary complexity from designs, revealing the essential elements and creating clarity through ruthless simplification.10 11## MANDATORY PREPARATION12 13Invoke /impeccable — it contains design principles, anti-patterns, and the **Context Gathering Protocol**. Follow the protocol before proceeding — if no design context exists yet, you MUST run /impeccable teach first.14 15---16 17## Assess Current State18 19Analyze what makes the design feel complex or cluttered:20 211. **Identify complexity sources**:22   - **Too many elements**: Competing buttons, redundant information, visual clutter23   - **Excessive variation**: Too many colors, fonts, sizes, styles without purpose24   - **Information overload**: Everything visible at once, no progressive disclosure25   - **Visual noise**: Unnecessary borders, shadows, backgrounds, decorations26   - **Confusing hierarchy**: Unclear what matters most27   - **Feature creep**: Too many options, actions, or paths forward28 292. **Find the essence**:30   - What's the primary user goal? (There should be ONE)31   - What's actually necessary vs nice-to-have?32   - What can be removed, hidden, or combined?33   - What's the 20% that delivers 80% of value?34 35If any of these are unclear from the codebase, STOP and call the AskUserQuestion tool to clarify.36 37**CRITICAL**: Simplicity is not about removing features - it's about removing obstacles between users and their goals. Every element should justify its existence.38 39## Plan Simplification40 41Create a ruthless editing strategy:42 43- **Core purpose**: What's the ONE thing this should accomplish?44- **Essential elements**: What's truly necessary to achieve that purpose?45- **Progressive disclosure**: What can be hidden until needed?46- **Consolidation opportunities**: What can be combined or integrated?47 48**IMPORTANT**: Simplification is hard. It requires saying no to good ideas to make room for great execution. Be ruthless.49 50## Simplify the Design51 52Systematically remove complexity across these dimensions:53 54### Information Architecture55- **Reduce scope**: Remove secondary actions, optional features, redundant information56- **Progressive disclosure**: Hide complexity behind clear entry points (accordions, modals, step-through flows)57- **Combine related actions**: Merge similar buttons, consolidate forms, group related content58- **Clear hierarchy**: ONE primary action, few secondary actions, everything else tertiary or hidden59- **Remove redundancy**: If it's said elsewhere, don't repeat it here60 61### Visual Simplification62- **Reduce color palette**: Use 1-2 colors plus neutrals, not 5-7 colors63- **Limit typography**: One font family, 3-4 sizes maximum, 2-3 weights64- **Remove decorations**: Eliminate borders, shadows, backgrounds that don't serve hierarchy or function65- **Flatten structure**: Reduce nesting, remove unnecessary containers—never nest cards inside cards66- **Remove unnecessary cards**: Cards aren't needed for basic layout; use spacing and alignment instead67- **Consistent spacing**: Use one spacing scale, remove arbitrary gaps68 69### Layout Simplification70- **Linear flow**: Replace complex grids with simple vertical flow where possible71- **Remove sidebars**: Move secondary content inline or hide it72- **Full-width**: Use available space generously instead of complex multi-column layouts73- **Consistent alignment**: Pick left or center, stick with it74- **Generous white space**: Let content breathe, don't pack everything tight75 76### Interaction Simplification77- **Reduce choices**: Fewer buttons, fewer options, clearer path forward (paradox of choice is real)78- **Smart defaults**: Make common choices automatic, only ask when necessary79- **Inline actions**: Replace modal flows with inline editing where possible80- **Remove steps**: Can signup be one step instead of three? Can checkout be simplified?81- **Clear CTAs**: ONE obvious next step, not five competing actions82 83### Content Simplification84- **Shorter copy**: Cut every sentence in half, then do it again85- **Active voice**: "Save changes" not "Changes will be saved"86- **Remove jargon**: Plain language always wins87- **Scannable structure**: Short paragraphs, bullet points, clear headings88- **Essential information only**: Remove marketing fluff, legalese, hedging89- **Remove redundant copy**: No headers restating intros, no repeated explanations, say it once90 91### Code Simplification92- **Remove unused code**: Dead CSS, unused components, orphaned files93- **Flatten component trees**: Reduce nesting depth94- **Consolidate styles**: Merge similar styles, use utilities consistently95- **Reduce variants**: Does that component need 12 variations, or can 3 cover 90% of cases?96 97**NEVER**:98- Remove necessary functionality (simplicity ≠ feature-less)99- Sacrifice accessibility for simplicity (clear labels and ARIA still required)100- Make things so simple they're unclear (mystery ≠ minimalism)101- Remove information users need to make decisions102- Eliminate hierarchy completely (some things should stand out)103- Oversimplify complex domains (match complexity to actual task complexity)104 105## Verify Simplification106 107Ensure simplification improves usability:108 109- **Faster task completion**: Can users accomplish goals more quickly?110- **Reduced cognitive load**: Is it easier to understand what to do?111- **Still complete**: Are all necessary features still accessible?112- **Clearer hierarchy**: Is it obvious what matters most?113- **Better performance**: Does simpler design load faster?114 115## Document Removed Complexity116 117If you removed features or options:118- Document why they were removed119- Consider if they need alternative access points120- Note any user feedback to monitor121 122Remember: You have great taste and judgment. Simplification is an act of confidence - knowing what to keep and courage to remove the rest. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said: "Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."