Anti-Slop Skill

Detect and eliminate generic AI-generated patterns ("slop") across natural language, code, and design.

What is AI Slop?

AI slop refers to telltale patterns that signal low-quality, generic AI-generated content:

• Text: Overused phrases like "delve into," excessive buzzwords, meta-commentary
• Code: Generic variable names, obvious comments, unnecessary abstraction
• Design: Cookie-cutter layouts, generic gradients, overused visual patterns

This skill helps identify and remove these patterns to create authentic, high-quality content.

When to Use This Skill

Apply anti-slop techniques when:

• Reviewing AI-generated content before delivery
• Creating original content and want to avoid generic patterns
• Cleaning up existing content that feels generic
• Establishing quality standards for a project
• User explicitly requests slop detection or cleanup
• Content has telltale signs of generic AI generation

Core Workflow

1. Detect Slop

For text files:

python scripts/detect_slop.py <file> [--verbose]

This analyzes text and provides:

• Slop score (0-100, higher is worse)
• Specific pattern findings
• Actionable recommendations

Manual detection: Read the appropriate reference file for detailed patterns:

• references/text-patterns.md - Natural language slop patterns
• references/code-patterns.md - Programming slop patterns
• references/design-patterns.md - Visual/UX design slop patterns

2. Clean Slop

Automated cleanup (text only):

# Preview changes
python scripts/clean_slop.py <file>

# Apply changes (creates backup)
python scripts/clean_slop.py <file> --save

# Aggressive mode (may slightly change meaning)
python scripts/clean_slop.py <file> --save --aggressive

Manual cleanup: Apply strategies from the reference files based on detected patterns.

Text Slop Detection & Cleanup

High-Priority Targets

Remove immediately:

• "delve into" → delete or replace with "examine"
• "navigate the complexities" → "handle" or delete
• "in today's fast-paced world" → delete
• "it's important to note that" → delete
• Meta-commentary about the document itself

Simplify wordy phrases:

• "in order to" → "to"
• "due to the fact that" → "because"
• "has the ability to" → "can"

Replace buzzwords:

• "leverage" → "use"
• "synergistic" → "cooperative"
• "paradigm shift" → "major change"

Quality Principles

Be direct:

• Skip preambles and meta-commentary
• Lead with the actual point
• Cut transition words that don't add meaning

Be specific:

• Replace generic terms with concrete examples
• Name specific things instead of "items," "things," "data"
• Use precise verbs instead of vague action words

Be authentic:

• Vary sentence structure and length
• Use active voice predominantly
• Write in a voice appropriate to context, not corporate-generic

Code Slop Detection & Cleanup

High-Priority Targets

Rename generic variables:

• data → name what data it represents
• result → name what the result contains
• temp → name what you're temporarily storing
• item → name what kind of item

Remove obvious comments:

# Bad
# Create a user
user = User()

# Better - let code speak
user = User()

Simplify over-engineered code:

• Remove unnecessary abstraction layers
• Replace design patterns used without purpose
• Simplify complex implementations of simple tasks

Improve function names:

• handleData() → what are you doing with data?
• processItems() → what processing specifically?
• manageUsers() → what management action?

Quality Principles

Clarity over cleverness:

• Write code that's easy to understand
• Optimize only when profiling shows need
• Prefer simple solutions to complex ones

Meaningful names:

• Variable names should describe content
• Function names should describe action + object
• Class names should describe responsibility

Appropriate documentation:

• Document why, not what
• Skip documentation for self-evident code
• Focus documentation on public APIs and complex logic

Design Slop Detection & Cleanup

High-Priority Targets

Visual slop:

• Generic gradient backgrounds (purple/pink/cyan)
• Overuse of glassmorphism or neumorphism
• Floating 3D shapes without purpose
• Every element using same design treatment

Layout slop:

• Template-driven layouts ignoring content needs
• Everything in cards regardless of content type
• Excessive whitespace without hierarchy
• Center-alignment of all elements

Copy slop:

• "Empower your business" type headlines
• Generic CTAs like "Get Started" without context
• Buzzword-heavy descriptions
• Stock photo aesthetics

Quality Principles

Content-first design:

• Design around actual content needs
• Create hierarchy based on importance
• Let content determine layout, not templates

Intentional choices:

• Every design decision should be justifiable
• Use patterns because they serve

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