Fix AI Agent Jargon with Simplified Technical English
Tired of Claude Code generating bizarre, overly dramatic jargon like "load-bearing spine"? You can fix this by enforcing Simplified Technical English (STE) in your system instructions or .claudemd files. This 1970s aerospace standard restricts vocabulary, forcing your AI agent to communicate in clear, direct, and highly actionable prose. "The load-bearing spine has hit a ceiling, and that is a…
Claude Code and similar AI coding agents often produce convoluted technical jargon like "load-bearing spine". This stems from the models being trained on internet content where writing tends to be verbose and metaphorical. To combat this, enforcing Simplified Technical English (STE) can tighten the output.
STE is a 1970s aerospace standard for clear, unambiguous technical writing. It restricts vocabulary and enforces short, active sentences without metaphors. Applying STE to AI agents forces them to communicate plainly rather than using bombastic language.
For example, an AI might describe a slow database as "the load-bearing spine has hit a performance ceiling" instead of the straightforward "the main database query is slow because CPU usage is at 100%". STE eliminates this ambiguity, providing direct, actionable information.
To configure your AI agent, inject STE rules into your system files such as .claudemd or developer_instructions.md. Add rules like:
- Write all responses in Simplified Technical English
- Use short, active sentences (under 20 words)
- Avoid metaphors, idioms, and dramatic jargon
- Use only one verb per sentence
This forces the agent to drop theatrical language and focus on clear technical explanations. Importantly, STE does not hinder the agent's problem-solving ability - it merely changes how solutions are described.
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