karpathy-guidelines: a Claude Code skill by Multica
For developers who want Claude to ask before guessing, keep changes small and prove work with tests. Skip it for quick throwaway scripts where the caution slows you down.
- Score
- 63of 100
- Rank
- #218of 239
- Installs
- 44Kon skills.sh
- Security
- Clear 3 scanners
- Updated
- 2026
- Context
- ~59tokens always
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/multica-ai/andrej-karpathy-skills --skill karpathy-guidelines
Run it in your terminal. View the source
Using the Claude app rather than Claude Code? You can add a skill there too. How to add it in the app
What does karpathy-guidelines do?
karpathy-guidelines is a skill made of four short rules for how Claude should write code, based on Andrej Karpathy's comments about common LLM coding mistakes. First, state assumptions, raise other readings of the request and ask when something is unclear. Second, write the least code that solves the problem, with no unrequested features or abstractions. Third, touch only lines tied to the request, match existing style and mention, rather than delete, dead code you notice. Fourth, turn tasks into checks, such as writing a failing test for a bug, and give a short plan with a check for each step. It runs no commands.
When should you use karpathy-guidelines?
Use it when
- Claude keeps rewriting code you didn't ask it to touch
- You want a test to define done before a fix
- Requests are vague and you want questions first
Skip it when
- You want rapid prototypes without check-ins
- Your CLAUDE.md already has the same rules
Why it scores 63
Strongest on quality (100 of 100), weakest on upkeep (40).
Is karpathy-guidelines safe to install?
Every scanner that checked it passed it. Scanners often miss what other scanners catch, and a skill can change after a scan. Read its source before you install it.
| Scanner | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Gen Agent Trust Hub | Passed | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Socket | Passed | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Snyk | Low risk | Sep 15, 2026 |
Details
- Installs
- 44,045
- Repository stars
- 231,961
- Last repository change
- Tokens always loaded
- about 59
- Tokens when used
- about 556
- License
- MIT
- Data confidence
- High
Did it do the job for you?
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karpathy-guidelines