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Agent skills

Ponytail

A skill that makes coding agents write the smallest change that solves the task.

Repository updated

Website GitHub
162k starsMITJavaScriptSelf-hostedUpdated

GitHub metadata checked October 12, 2026. Counts and activity may have changed.

At a glance

Unverified

Developers who want agents to add less code and fewer dependencies.

Watch out. The project's benchmark numbers are its own. Install only from the official GitHub repository or npm package, as its README warns about copies.

Run
Self-host only
Effort
Easy
Deploy
Claude Code pluginCodex pluginAGENTS.md
License
MIT
Activity
Active · 2d ago
Stars Δ
+896

Overview

Ponytail is one skill prompt that pushes an agent to reuse existing code and native features before adding dependencies, while keeping validation, error handling, security and accessibility. It adds review and repository audit commands.

What it does

  • Smallest-change coding rules
  • /ponytail-review for changed code
  • /ponytail-audit for a whole repository
  • Small tests kept for risky logic

Capability source: Project documentation

Who Ponytail fits

Developers who want agents to add less code and fewer dependencies.

How you run it

Ponytail runs on infrastructure you manage.

Documented deployment options: Claude Code plugin, Codex plugin, AGENTS.md.

JavaScript projects · MIT projects · Agent skills

Before you choose it

The project's benchmark numbers are its own. Install only from the official GitHub repository or npm package, as its README warns about copies.

Self-hosting and deployment

Self-hostable
Yes
Cloud / hosted offering
Not recorded
Docker noted in deployment tags
Not recorded
Deployment tags
Claude Code plugin, Codex plugin, AGENTS.md
Difficulty
Easy

Ponytail questions

What is Ponytail?
A skill that makes coding agents write the smallest change that solves the task. It is listed under Agent skills on PickOpenSource.
Is Ponytail open source?
Yes. Its source code is public on GitHub under the MIT license.
Can you self-host Ponytail?
Yes. Listed deployment options: Claude Code plugin, Codex plugin, AGENTS.md.
Is Ponytail free?
Pricing is not recorded in this catalog. Check the official website for hosted plans and edition limits, and the MIT license for usage conditions. Self-hosting also requires infrastructure and maintenance.
What are alternatives to Ponytail?
Similar agent skills projects include Superpowers, Skills by Matt Pocock, and gstack.
Is Ponytail actively maintained?
The latest commit on GitHub was October 10, 2026, and the repository has 162k stars (up 896 since October 11, 2026).

Related projects

Other approved projects in Agent skills: Superpowers, Skills by Matt Pocock, gstack.

Maintain Ponytail? Add the README badge

Listed on PickOpenSource
[![Listed on PickOpenSource](https://pickopensource.site/api/badge/ponytail)](https://pickopensource.site/project/ponytail)

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