class Solution:
    def removeDuplicates(self, nums: List[int]) -> int:

        unique_tracker = 1
        replace_tracker = 1
        count = 1

        while unique_tracker < len(nums):
            if nums[unique_tracker] == nums[unique_tracker - 1]:
                # increase the count
                count += 1
            else:
                # stop the count
                count = 1  # reset count for new number

            # only if they are the first 2 number
            # activate the replace trcker - copy and move
            if count <= 2:
                nums[replace_tracker] = nums[unique_tracker]
                replace_tracker += 1

            # go on as usual
            unique_tracker += 1

        return replace_tracker