refactor-process
Installation
SKILL.md
Refactor Process
Quick Reference
| Aspect | Rule |
|---|---|
| Pre-requisite | Characterization tests must exist and be Green before any edits |
| Step Size | One atomic transformation at a time (rename variable, extract method, etc.) |
| Verification | Run tests after every single step |
| No Behavior Changes | No new features, bug fixes, or changed return values during refactoring |
| Rollback | If tests turn Red, undo immediately — do not debug in a broken state |
Process Steps
Step 1: Establish the Baseline
- Run the existing tests for the class or module.
- If coverage is missing or weak, write characterization tests (tests that capture the current behavior, including edge cases and errors).
- Verify all tests are Green before proceeding.