Refactor Code

Apply systematic refactoring techniques to improve code clarity, maintainability, and performance without changing functionality.

When to Use

• Addressing code smells identified in reviews
• Reducing cyclomatic complexity
• Extracting methods and classes
• Improving naming and organization

Quick Reference

# Common refactoring patterns

# Extract method
# BEFORE: Long function with multiple responsibilities
def process_data(data):
    result = validate(data)
    formatted = format_data(result)
    return save(formatted)

# AFTER: Clear single responsibility
def process_data(data):
    validated = _validate_and_format(data)
    return save(validated)

def _validate_and_format(data):
    return format_data(validate(data))

Workflow

1. Identify refactoring targets: From code review or analysis tools
2. Plan changes: Document what will change and why
3. Apply refactoring: Use IDE refactoring tools or manual changes
4. Run tests: Verify all tests still pass
5. Verify performance: Check no performance regression

Output Format

Refactoring report:

• Issues addressed
• Refactoring techniques applied
• Metrics before/after (complexity, lines of code)
• Test coverage status
• Performance impact

References

• See detect-code-smells skill for identifying issues
• See CLAUDE.md > SOLID principles for refactoring goals
• See run-tests skill for verification