Marie Kondo’s philosophy centers on keeping what truly serves you and letting go of what doesn’t. In development and UX, clutter often hides in redundant code, tangled structures, and outdated workflows. Applying her mindset to your digital environment helps restore focus, reduce technical debt, and create space for better, more intentional work.
Tip 1: Remove code that no longer serves its purpose
“Everything that doesn’t make you happy (or is very useful) must be thrown away.” In code terms, this means letting go of artifacts that drain focus and slow your product.
Release what no longer sparks joy — or utility — in your repository:
| Identify | Unused components, classes, functions, and modules — especially “just in case” code. |
| Remove | Delete or archive via version control rather than keeping them in the active code path. |
| Result | Less maintenance, fewer bugs, and reduced technical debt. |
Tip 2: Organize by category and purpose
KonMari organizes by category, not by location. In software, group by purpose — not just file type. Split large functions into single-responsibility units and give every piece a clear home.
| Modularize | Break monoliths into smaller, easier-to-understand units. |
| Group logically | Align structure to domains: UI components, data models, utilities. |
| Name clearly | Use folder names and paths that mirror purpose to reduce “where did that go?” friction. |
Tip 3: Ask “Does this spark joy?” about code and designs
In KonMari, joy signals alignment. In product work, joy is clarity, readability, and elegance.
| Review mindset | Ask: “Would I feel good handing this to a colleague?” If no, refactor. |
| Simplify | Favor clarity over cleverness; readable code survives handoffs and audits. |
| Peer focus | Center reviews on clarity and maintainability, not only functionality. |
Tip 4: Respect your tools and workspace
Express care for your digital tools the way KonMari encourages gratitude for physical ones. Keep your editor, design files, and terminals tidy — both physically and virtually.
| Declutter | Clear your desktop; close tabs and panes that no longer serve the task. |
| Configure mindfully | Keep only extensions, themes, and plugins that improve focus. |
| Close cleanly | End the day by committing, pushing, and shutting projects down intentionally. |
Tip 5: Keep only documentation that sparks clarity
Docs are the wardrobe of your project — easy to overfill with outdated pieces. Keep what clarifies context and decisions; retire what confuses.
| Keep | Docs that explain the why and how, not only the what. |
| Remove | Outdated sections, duplicated guides, and version-stale notes. |
| Refresh | Treat onboarding as a tidying event; capture and fix points of confusion. |
Conclusion: Tidying your virtual house
When a codebase or design system feels clean and purposeful, collaboration flows and ideas move faster. The KonMari approach encourages conscious choices — keeping what strengthens your craft and releasing what weighs it down.
