Stop Slop
v2.88 Key Changes (MODEL-AGNOSTIC)
- Model-agnostic: Uses model configured in
~/.claude/settings.jsonor CLI/env vars - No flags required: Works with the configured default model
- Flexible: Works with GLM-5, Claude, Minimax, or any configured model
- Settings-driven: Model selection via
ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_*_MODELenv vars
A skill for removing AI tells from prose. AI writing has patterns—predictable phrases, structures, and rhythms. Once you notice them, you see them everywhere.
What It Catches
Banned Phrases
Throat-clearing openers — Generic openings that delay the actual content:
- "Certainly!"
- "It is important to note that..."
- "It should be noted that..."
- "It is worth noting that..."
- "In today's fast-paced world..."
- "In the ever-evolving landscape of..."
Emphasis crutches — Overused emphasis patterns:
- "plays a crucial role"
- "is absolutely essential"
- "cannot be overstated"
- "is particularly important"
Business jargon — Empty corporate speak:
- "leverage the power of"
- "dive right in"
- "moving on to"
- "at the end of the day"
Structural Clichés
Binary contrasts — Forced either/or framings:
- "This isn't just X, it's Y"
- "On one hand... on the other hand..."
Dramatic fragmentation — Unnecessary line breaks for emphasis:
- Short sentences after long ones just for effect
Rhetorical setups — Predictable question-answer patterns:
- "So what does this mean?"
- "The answer is..."
Stylistic Habits
Tripling — Lists of three as a pattern:
- Examples, evidence, and expertise
- Fast, flexible, and affordable
Metronomic endings — Sentences that all end the same way
Immediate question-answers — Ask and answer in same paragraph
Scoring
Rate 1-10 on each dimension:
| Dimension | Question |
|---|---|
| Directness | Statements or announcements? |
| Rhythm | Varied or metronomic? |
| Trust | Respects reader intelligence? |
| Authenticity | Sounds human? |
| Density | Anything cuttable? |
Below 35/50: Revise the content.
Process
When editing content:
- Scan for banned phrases — Remove throat-clearing openers
- Fix structural clichés — Break binary contrasts, reduce tripling
- Check rhythm — Vary sentence length and structure
- Respect trust — Don't over-explain, don't state obvious
- Verify authenticity — Does it sound like a human wrote it?
- Trim density — Cut anything that doesn't add value
What to Remove
- Filler phrases and hedging
- Overused transitions (Furthermore, Moreover, Additionally)
- Artificial formality (due to the fact that, in order to)
- Redundant expressions (each and every, various different)
- Meta-commentary (As mentioned above, This demonstrates...)
- Generic openings (Certainly!, In today's fast-paced world...)
What to Preserve
While removing slop, keep:
- Genuine technical explanations
- Actual insights and analysis
- Meaningful examples and evidence
- The author's authentic voice
- Facts and accurate information
Anti-Goals
This skill does NOT:
- Dumb down the writing
- Remove all complexity
- Change your personal style
- Eliminate necessary explanations
- Make everything short
Quick Reference
| AI Pattern | Fix |
|---|---|
| "It is important to note that" | Delete or state directly |
| "In conclusion" (as transition) | Just end or summarize |
| "Furthermore/Moreover" | Delete or use specific transition |
| "plays a crucial role" | "is important" or describe role |
| "manner in which" | "how" |
| "due to the fact that" | "because" |
| "each and every" | "each" or "every" |
| "a wide array of" | "many" |
| "As mentioned above" | Just continue |
| "This demonstrates that" | Just state what it demonstrates |
Transformation Examples
Example 1
BEFORE (AI Slop):
"It is important to note that consistent practice plays a crucial role in skill development. Furthermore, one must consider that motivation is a key factor in maintaining this consistency. Moreover, this highlights the importance of setting realistic goals."
AFTER (Human):
"Consistent practice develops skills. Motivation keeps you going, so set realistic goals."
Example 2
BEFORE (AI Slop):
"It should be noted that there are various different approaches to solving this problem. Each approach offers a unique set of advantages and disadvantages. In conclusion, the best choice depends on the specific context."
AFTER (Human):
"Several approaches can solve this problem. Each has pros and cons. Pick what fits your situation."
Example 3
BEFORE (AI Slop):
"Certainly! Let's dive right in. In today's fast-paced digital landscape, businesses must leverage the power of technology to stay competitive. It's crucial to understand that digital transformation is not just a buzzword."
AFTER (Human):
"Let's dive in. To stay competitive, businesses need technology. Digital transformation matters."
Usage
Claude Code: This folder is a skill. Invoke @stop-slop when editing prose.
Claude Projects: Upload SKILL.md to project knowledge.
API calls: Include SKILL.md in your system prompt.
Reference Files
For complete lists, see:
references/phrases.md— Full banned phrases listreferences/structures.md— Structural patterns to avoidreferences/examples.md— More before/after transformations
Based on work by Hardik Pandya