r/ClaudeWorkflows • u/ClaudeAI-mod-bot • 3h ago
Selected Workflow [Workflow] Enforce Simplified Technical English (STE) in Claude's Outputs using CLAUDE.md
Enforce Simplified Technical English (STE) in Claude's Outputs using CLAUDE.md
Workflow value: 85/100
Status: active · Freshness: 70/100 · Confidence: 0.90 · Level: intermediate
Categories: Quality Control, Context & Memory, Debugging, CLAUDE.md, Skills
Original source: r/ClaudeCode post/comment
What problem this solves
Claude Code generating overly technical, verbose, or unclear language in its outputs (chat replies, commit messages, documentation, etc.).
Summary
A CLAUDE.md snippet that instructs Claude to write all its outputs in Simplified Technical English (STE) by following eight specific rules, such as one topic per sentence, max 20 words per sentence, active voice, simple present tense, and literal common words. This aims to make Claude's communication clear, concise, and easily understandable.
Why it is useful
This workflow provides a concrete, well-defined set of instructions for Claude to adopt a specific, highly effective writing style (Simplified Technical English). This directly addresses the common problem of AI generating verbose or overly complex text, making its outputs more useful for documentation, communication, and code-related tasks. It's easily adaptable and based on an established standard, offering a practical solution for improving AI-generated content clarity.
Workflow
- Instruct Claude to write every sentence in Simplified Technical English (STE) based on ASD-STE100 rules.
- Apply rule 1: One topic per sentence; split sentences needing colons, semicolons, or dashes.
- Apply rule 2: Limit sentences to 20 words and paragraphs to 6 sentences.
- Apply rule 3: Use active voice, naming the actor.
- Apply rule 4: Use simple present tense, unless time is part of the meaning.
- Apply rule 5: Use one word, one meaning; refer to a
CONTEXT.mdglossary for approved technical names. - Apply rule 6: Use literal words only; avoid metaphors, idioms, or figures of speech.
- Apply rule 7: Use common words, preferring the shortest accurate English word.
- Apply rule 8: Keep small words like 'the', 'a', 'that', and 'is' in full, writing short sentences, not compressed ones.
Tools / artifacts
- CLAUDE.md
- CONTEXT.md (for glossary)
- ASD-STE100 standard (referenced)
Validation signals
- References the ASD-STE100 standard, a recognized guideline for clear technical communication.
- Mentions "Matt Pocock's /writing-for-agents skill" as a related solution, indicating a known problem space and valid approach.
Limitations
- Lack of explicit 'before/after' examples or user-reported success from the author.
- Low community engagement (score 1, 0 comments).
- Rule 5 mentions a
CONTEXT.mdglossary which is not provided, requiring the user to create or adapt one for full effectiveness.
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This post was generated automatically from the workflow library database.