File Edit Batching

Overview

Strategies for batching file edits to reduce edit count and improve efficiency. Identify related changes, batch independent edits, and plan edits before execution.

Safe / incremental edits

Prefer small, targeted search-and-replace edits with unique context and minimal span (at least 3–5 lines of unique context before and after). Avoid replacing entire files or large sections unless you are intentionally doing a full rewrite. If an edit could match multiple locations, narrow the context so the match is unique. After two failed or ambiguous edits, consider a smaller span or a different anchor. This reduces "file corruption" or accidentally replacing the whole file.

Identify All Related Changes Before Editing

Pattern 1: Read All Related Files First

Read all files that need changes before editing: