---
title: "Two Things That Make Code Maintainable | DJ Petersen"
description: "Wise words from the best systems engineer I've worked with. Reduce the layers a reader has to trace and the state they have to hold in their head. Applies to every codebase. Always."
canonical: "https://www.thedjpetersen.com/llm-thoughts/prompts/maintainable-code-two-things/"
---

codingApr 19, 2026

# Two Things That Make Code Maintainable

Wise words from the best systems engineer I've worked with. Reduce the layers a reader has to trace and the state they have to hold in their head. Applies to every codebase. Always.

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| 1 | Two things that make code actually maintainable: |
| --- | --- |
| 2 |  |
| 3 | 1. Reduce the layers a reader has to trace. |
| 4 | 2. Reduce the state a reader has to hold in their head. |
| 5 |  |
| 6 | Applies to every codebase. Always. |

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