refactor
This skill should be used when the user asks to refactor code, do a refactor pass, clean up code, extract a class or service, inject a dependency, or make incremental improvements to existing code str
Files1
View on GitHubSKILL.md.claude/skills/refactor/SKILL.md
GitHubRefactoring in Glue
See REFACTORING.md for the full philosophy, checklist, and status of ongoing refactoring efforts.
Core principle
Incremental is good. A small step in the right direction — even if it doesn't finish the job — is valuable. You do not need to complete an entire refactor in one pass. Leave the code measurably better without rewriting everything at once.
What this means in practice
- A partial extraction (e.g., moving 3 methods into a new service) is a valid, shippable change.
- A forwarding stub that preserves existing call sites while introducing a seam is a valid, shippable change.
- If a full fix requires touching too many things at once, find the smallest safe slice and do that.
- Zero behavior change is the goal for each individual refactoring step. New behavior comes after.