--- name: build-anti-patterns-1609392a8366 description: Comprehensive catalog of build anti-patterns that degrade quality, increase maintenance, and introduce bugs. Includes detection frameworks and prevention strategies. allowed-tools: "*" triggers: ["anti-pattern", "isolated edits", "feature bloat", "context destruction", "premature optimization", "test procrastination", "snowball commits", "code smell"] --- ===SKILL:BUILD_ANTI_PATTERNS=== META: TYPE::SKILL VERSION::"1.0" PURPOSE::"Comprehensive anti-pattern catalog for build phase" SOURCE::"Extracted from anti-patterns.oct.md" §1::ISOLATED_EDITS SYMPTOMS::"'I just changed one function' → unexpected failures in distant components" EXAMPLE::"processUser(id)→processUser(userId): 15 call sites + db query builder + GraphQL resolver = 4hrs debugging" DETECT::[ "Changes without grepping usage", "Skip dependency analysis", "Quick fix mentality", "No test failures but prod breaks" ] PREVENT::[ "Ripple map before coding (git grep usage)", "Run full test suite (not just changed file)", "Check types (mypy/tsc)", "System impact analysis" ] §2::FEATURE_BLOAT SYMPTOMS::"'Since I'm here I'll also...' → features nobody asked for" EXAMPLE::"Task: email validation. Also adds: disposable check + DNS verify + typo suggestions = 200 lines instead of 10" DETECT::[ "Implementing not in requirements", "Adding abstractions for future", "Improving unrelated code", "Multiple concerns one commit" ] PREVENT::[ "Scope validation: explicitly requested?", "Defer until needed (Rule of Three)", "Separate PRs for improvements", "One concern per commit" ] §3::CONTEXT_DESTRUCTION SYMPTOMS::"'Comment is obvious, removing it' → deleting architectural rationale" EXAMPLE::"setTimeout comment explaining why not setInterval → deleted → future dev reintroduces bug" DETECT::[ "Deleting non-obvious comments", "Removing TODOs without resolution", "Stripping git history", "Cleanup PRs removing context" ] PREVENT::[ "Git handles versions, comments explain WHY not WHAT", "Preserve TODOs with explanations", "Architectural decisions in docs", "Commit messages explain WHY" ] §4::PREMATURE_OPTIMIZATION SYMPTOMS::"'This could be faster' → optimization without profiling" EXAMPLE::"Optimize array iteration while real bottleneck is N+1 database queries" DETECT::[ "Optimizing without measuring", "Assuming bottlenecks", "Complexity added for theoretical speed", "Ignoring profiler results" ] PREVENT::[ "Profile first ALWAYS", "Optimize algorithms before code (O(n²)→O(n))", "Benchmark before/after", "Complexity cost must be justified" ] §5::TEST_PROCRASTINATION SYMPTOMS::"'I'll add tests later' → tests fit code not requirements" EXAMPLE::"Implement feature → write tests after → tests pass but feature breaks edge cases" DETECT::[ "Tests added after code", "Commit message 'Add tests'", "Single commit with both test and implementation", "Test timestamp newer than implementation" ] PREVENT::[ "TDD discipline: RED→GREEN→REFACTOR", "Git history enforcement: test commit→feat commit", "Failing test proof required", "No merge without TDD evidence" ] §6::ABSTRACTION_ADDICTION SYMPTOMS::"'Future flexibility' → abstractions for 2 use cases" EXAMPLE::"2 similar functions → DataProcessor class with generics → only 2 call sites + complex config" DETECT::[ "Abstraction before 3rd use", "Generic solutions for specific problems", "Indirection without clarity benefit", "Flexibility nobody needs" ] PREVENT::[ "Rule of Three: 1st concrete → 2nd note → 3rd abstract", "YAGNI: You Aren't Gonna Need It", "Abstractions must reduce cognitive load", "Must be understandable without docs" ] §7::SNOWBALL_COMMITS SYMPTOMS::"100+ files in one PR → impossible to review" EXAMPLE::"Refactor user service + add feature + fix bugs + update deps = 247 files changed" DETECT::[ "PRs with 50+ files", "Multiple unrelated changes", "Commits with mixed concerns", "Reviewer comment: 'too large to review'" ] PREVENT::[ "Atomic commits: one logical change", "Feature flags for gradual rollout", "Separate refactor from features", "Stacked PRs: small incremental" ] §8::DEPENDENCY_DRIFT SYMPTOMS::"Outdated dependencies → security vulnerabilities + compatibility issues" EXAMPLE::"react@16.8→18.0 without testing → breaking changes in hooks" DETECT::[ "Dependencies not updated 6mo+", "Security warnings ignored", "Version pinning without reason", "No dependency audit" ] PREVENT::[ "Regular updates: monthly review", "Security scanning: npm audit, Dependabot", "Test before update: integration suite", "Document version decisions" ] §9::ENVIRONMENT_PARITY_GAPS SYMPTOMS::"'Works locally' → production failures" EXAMPLE::"Local: node@18 + sqlite | Prod: node@16 + postgres → crashes on deploy" DETECT::[ "No version specification", "Different DBs dev/prod", "Missing .env.example", "Manual environment setup" ] PREVENT::[ "Version specification: .nvmrc, engines", "Docker for consistency", "CI matches prod", "Env var validation on startup" ] §10::DETECTION_FRAMEWORK QUICK_CHECK::[ "Changing without system analysis? → ISOLATED_EDITS", "Adding unrequested features? → FEATURE_BLOAT", "Deleting WHY comments? → CONTEXT_DESTRUCTION", "Optimizing without profiling? → PREMATURE_OPTIMIZATION", "Writing tests after? → TEST_PROCRASTINATION", "Abstracting for 2 cases? → ABSTRACTION_ADDICTION", "PR with 100+ files? → SNOWBALL_COMMITS", "Dependencies 6mo+ old? → DEPENDENCY_DRIFT", "Works locally not prod? → ENVIRONMENT_PARITY_GAPS" ] §11::WISDOM PREVENTION_OVER_CURE::"Recognize pattern early → apply prevention → avoid hours debugging" CORE_TRUTH::"Anti-patterns are shortcuts creating technical debt. Pay now or pay later with interest" ===END=== --- Source attribution: elevanaltd Original project: https://github.com/elevanaltd/HestAI-MCP/blob/fe977697842941bc49d64a047a32c115575ec5c2/src/hestai_mcp/_bundled_hub/library/skills/build-anti-patterns/SKILL.md License: Apache-2.0 License information: https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Mega AI Hub. ## Upstream license notice Apache License Version 2.0, January 2004 http://www.apache.org/licenses/ TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE, REPRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION 1. Definitions. "License" shall mean the terms and conditions for use, reproduction, and distribution as defined by Sections 1 through 9 of this document. "Licensor" shall mean the copyright owner or entity authorized by the copyright owner that is granting the License. "Legal Entity" shall mean the union of the acting entity and all other entities that control, are controlled by, or are under common control with that entity. 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