Can Cursor's HARDCORE Review Skill Stop The Slop? — AI Summary

Summary

Automated code reviews can transform code quality if prompted with the right level of ambition. Instead of simple syntax checks, demanding 'code judo' and aggressive structural refactoring catches technical debt that humans and lazy AI agents overlook.

Key Topics

• Code Judo: Code Judo involves identifying bottlenecks or overly complex logic and reframing them into simpler, more maintainable abstractions rather than just patching errors.
• High-Ambition Review: This approach pushes the AI to be aggressive in suggesting structural refactors, such as splitting large files or changing how data flows through a system to improve overall cleanliness.
• Context Window Optimization: By splitting files into logical, smaller modules, developers provide clear signposts for the agent, allowing it to better manage its limited context window during complex tasks.

Key Takeaways

• Implement a high-ambition code review skill in your agent pipeline.
• Refactor large files (over 1,000 lines) into smaller, focused modules.