repair-or-replace

Decide whether to fix, replace, or recycle a broken item. Takes item type, age, symptoms, and repair estimate, then produces a scored recommendation across cost, lifespan, sentimental value, and environmental impact.

Don't guess. Score it.

Repair or Replace is a skill that helps you decide whether to fix a broken item, buy a replacement, or recycle it. It builds a weighted decision matrix across five factors — repair cost, replacement cost, remaining lifespan, sentimental value, and environmental impact — then outputs a clear, score-backed recommendation with reasoning.

When to Use

Activate this skill when:

• An appliance, device, or tool is broken and you're unsure whether to fix it
• You have a repair estimate and want to compare it against replacement
• You want to factor environmental impact into a purchasing decision
• You're helping someone else decide what to do with a broken item
• You want a structured, defensible decision rather than a gut call

How It Works

The script takes structured input about the item and its condition:

Parameter	Description	Example
--item	What the item is	"washing machine"
--age	How old it is (years)	8
--repair-cost	Estimated repair cost	250
--replacement-cost	Cost of a new equivalent	800
--expected-lifespan	Expected total lifespan of this item type (years)	12
--symptoms	What's wrong (free text)	"won't spin"
--sentimental	Sentimental value (1-10)	3
--condition	Overall condition aside from the fault (1-10)	6

It then scores the decision across five dimensions, applies weights, and produces a recommendation: Repair, Replace, or Recycle/Donate.

Decision Matrix

Factor	Weight	Repair Favors	Replace Favors
Cost Ratio	30%	Repair < 50% of replacement	Repair > 50% of replacement
Remaining Life	25%	<50% of expected lifespan used	>50% of expected lifespan used
Condition	15%	Good condition otherwise	Multiple issues, poor condition
Sentimental	10%	High sentimental value	Low sentimental value
Environmental	20%	Repair avoids e-waste	New item is more efficient

See references/decision-matrix.md for the full scoring algorithm.

Quick Reference

Need	Command
Basic decision	python3 scripts/repair_or_replace.py --item "laptop" --age 5 --repair-cost 300 --replacement-cost 1000
With symptoms and condition	python3 scripts/repair_or_replace.py --item "fridge" --age 10 --repair-cost 200 --replacement-cost 900 --symptoms "not cooling" --condition 4
Factor in sentiment	python3 scripts/repair_or_replace.py --item "watch" --age 20 --repair-cost 150 --replacement-cost 500 --sentimental 9
JSON output	python3 scripts/repair_or_replace.py ... --format json
Interactive mode	python3 scripts/repair_or_replace.py --interactive

Recommendations

The script outputs one of three recommendations:

• Repair — the item is worth fixing. Cost-effective, has remaining lifespan, or has sentimental/environmental value.
• Replace — buying new is the better choice. Repair cost is too high relative to replacement, or the item is near end-of-life.
• Recycle/Donate — the item is beyond economic repair. Dispose of it responsibly or donate if still partially functional.

Each recommendation includes a confidence score (0-100) and itemized reasoning.

Files

• references/decision-matrix.md — full scoring algorithm and weight rationale
• references/item-lifespans.md — expected lifespan data for common items
• references/environmental-impact.md — e-waste and sustainability considerations
• scripts/repair_or_replace.py — the main decision engine
• scripts/sample_run.sh — example invocations for different item types

Common Pitfalls

1. Ignoring hidden repair costs. The repair estimate often excludes diagnosis fees, shipping, or secondary issues discovered during repair. Add 15-20% to the estimate for a realistic comparison.

2. Overestimating remaining lifespan. An 8-year-old washing machine with a 12-year expected lifespan doesn't have 4 "good" years left — the last quarter of lifespan tends to have escalating failure rates.

3. Forgetting energy efficiency. A new appliance may be significantly more energy-efficient, saving money over time. Factor this into the replacement cost (see references/environmental-impact.md).

4. Sentimental bias. It's easy to over-value items with emotional attachment. Be honest with the --sentimental score.

5. Not considering safety. Some failures (gas appliances, electrical) carry safety risks if repaired poorly. If in doubt, replace.

Verification Checklist

• Repair estimate is realistic (includes diagnosis, parts, labor)
• Replacement cost reflects a comparable-quality item
• Expected lifespan matches the item type (see references/item-lifespans.md)
• Condition score accounts for wear beyond the current fault
• Environmental factor considered (especially for large appliances)

License

MIT © Denis Voronin