@refactor.md - Code Refactoring Coordinator

Strategic refactoring command that improves code quality while maintaining functionality and ensuring backward compatibility through incremental, testable changes.

Usage

@refactor.md <REFACTORING_SCOPE>

What It Does

Coordinates strategic refactoring with focus on maintainability, modern practices, and risk mitigation through incremental improvements.

When to Use

Technical Debt Reduction

• Legacy code modernization with outdated patterns
• Duplicated code elimination across multiple modules
• Complex functions that violate single responsibility
• Tightly coupled modules requiring better separation
• Code smells identified through reviews or analysis

Preparation for Changes

• Before adding features to complex legacy code
• Performance improvements requiring structural changes
• Framework upgrades requiring pattern updates
• Security improvements needing architectural changes
• Maintainability improvements for team productivity

Key Benefits

🔄 Incremental Approach

• Small, testable changes that reduce risk
• Maintains functionality throughout the process
• Allows for continuous validation and rollback
• Enables gradual team learning and adoption

🛡️ Risk Mitigation

• Maintains backward compatibility when needed
• Comprehensive testing before and after changes
• Clear rollback strategies for each step
• Documentation of decisions and trade-offs

🏗️ Modern Practices

• Applies current best practices and patterns
• Improves code maintainability and readability
• Reduces future development and maintenance costs
• Enhances team productivity and code quality

Example Scenarios

Legacy Authentication System

@refactor.md "Modernize legacy session-based auth to JWT tokens 
while maintaining backward compatibility for existing users. 
Current system uses PHP sessions, moving to Node.js with proper 
token management and refresh rotation."

Monolithic API Breakdown

@refactor.md "Extract user management functionality from monolithic 
API into separate service. Need to maintain existing API contracts 
while introducing service boundaries and proper error handling."

Database Layer Modernization

@refactor.md "Replace raw SQL queries with ORM/query builder while 
improving performance. Current code has SQL scattered throughout 
controllers, need proper data access layer."

Related Commands

• Use @review.md first to identify refactoring priorities
• Use @test.md to ensure adequate coverage before refactoring
• Use @code.md for major architectural changes