Add pattern: unearned superlatives

.claude-plugin/plugin.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "$schema": "https://json.schemastore.org/claude-code-plugin-manifest.json",
   "name": "humanizer",
   "description": "Rewrite AI-sounding text so it reads naturally without changing what it says.",
-  "version": "2.11.2",
+  "version": "2.12.0",
   "author": {
     "name": "blader",
     "url": "https://github.com/blader"

README.md

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Humanizer rewrites AI-sounding text so it reads like a person wrote it, without
 
 ## How it works
 
-Humanizer uses 35 patterns from Wikipedia's ["Signs of AI writing"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Signs_of_AI_writing), maintained by WikiProject AI Cleanup. It makes a first pass without treating the original structure as fixed. Then it checks the draft against those patterns and the original claims before rewriting whatever still needs work.
+Humanizer uses 36 patterns from Wikipedia's ["Signs of AI writing"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Signs_of_AI_writing), maintained by WikiProject AI Cleanup. It makes a first pass without treating the original structure as fixed. Then it checks the draft against those patterns and the original claims before rewriting whatever still needs work.
 
 > "LLMs use statistical algorithms to guess what should come next. The result tends toward the most statistically likely result that applies to the widest variety of cases."
 
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ Now humanize this text:
 
 Humanizer follows the sample's rhythm, word choice, punctuation, and deliberate quirks.
 
-## The 35 patterns
+## The 36 patterns
 
 ### Content patterns
 
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ Humanizer follows the sample's rhythm, word choice, punctuation, and deliberate
 | 23 | **Filler phrases** | "In order to", "Due to the fact that" | "To", "Because" |
 | 24 | **Too many qualifiers** | "could potentially possibly" | "may" |
 | 25 | **Generic positive endings** | "The future looks bright" | End with a fact or a sourced plan |
+| 36 | **Unearned superlatives** | "the most important thing", "the single source of truth" | Defend the ranking, attribute it, or demote it |
 
 ## Full example
 
@@ -154,6 +155,7 @@ Humanizer follows the sample's rhythm, word choice, punctuation, and deliberate
 <details>
 <summary>Show release notes</summary>
 
+- **2.12.0** - Added pattern 36, unearned superlatives: rankings the text has not established ("the most important", "the single source of truth"). Keep when defended or attributed, otherwise demote or drop.
 - **2.11.2** - Removed the plugin symlink and separate Claude Desktop package. Current Claude Code loads the root `SKILL.md` directly, so GitHub's source ZIP now works in Claude Desktop. No change to the 35 patterns.
 - **2.11.1** - Added a Claude Desktop-ready release package with one regular `humanizer/SKILL.md` file. GitHub's source archive still keeps the plugin symlink (fixes #224). No change to the 35 patterns.
 - **2.11.0** - Rewrote all repo guidance, descriptions, checks, and skill instructions in Plain Language. Kept all 35 patterns and their behavior.

SKILL.md

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ description: |
   voice, filler, or chatbot artifacts. Based on Wikipedia's "Signs of AI writing."
 license: MIT
 metadata:
-  version: "2.11.2"
+  version: "2.12.0"
 ---
 
 # Humanizer: remove AI writing patterns
@@ -390,6 +390,15 @@ Remove only the unsupported defense. If it contains a real claim, state that cla
 
 One rejected option may be valid. Several short, unrelated rejections are a stronger sign. Ask what new information each sentence adds. If it only records an earlier edit, rewrite the paragraph around its main point.
 
+### 36. Unearned superlatives
+
+**Phrases to watch:** "the most [adjective]", "the single [noun]", "the biggest/fastest/cheapest/best/worst", "the primary", "the critical/essential/vital", "the only [noun] that [verb]", "the source of truth"
+**Problem:** A superlative claims a ranking the text has not established. "The most important feature" and "the single source of truth" read as slogans unless the surrounding sentences show the comparison or the phrase is quoted from a named source. Keep a superlative only when it is defended nearby or attributed. Otherwise demote it ("the most" to "a major", "the single source of truth" to "the canonical copy") or drop it and let the noun carry the point.
+**Before:**
+> Indexing is the most important thing you can do for query speed, and the query planner is the single source of truth for how a statement runs.
+**After:**
+> Indexing usually gives the largest gain in query speed. The query planner decides how each statement runs, so read its output before changing an index.
+
 ## Check for false positives
 
 ### What not to flag