# refactor

A skill with 43 refactoring rules drawn from Martin Fowler's catalog and Clean Code. Useful when you want the agent to restructure code by a fixed set of rules instead of guessing.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 641 installs · ★ 218
- Author: pproenca
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/pproenca/dot-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/.curated/refactor/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-08-15
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/pproenca-refactor

## What it does

The rules sit in 8 categories ordered by impact: structure and decomposition, coupling, naming, conditional logic, abstractions, data organization, error handling, micro-refactoring. Each rule carries a prefix (`struct-`, `couple-`, `name-`, `cond-`, `pattern-`, `data-`, `error-`, `micro-`), which is how the agent locates the matching file under `references/`.

Individual rules live as `references/{prefix}-{slug}.md`. The full compiled guide is `AGENTS.md`, category definitions are in `references/_sections.md`, and `assets/templates/_template.md` is the template for adding your own rules.

Some rules set hard targets for function length and class size, so the agent will split code more aggressively than you might expect. If your project has its own style conventions, state them up front — otherwise the skill pulls everything toward Fowler's phrasing.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill refactor -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/refactor/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/refactor/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill refactor -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/refactor/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill refactor -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/refactor/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install pproenca/dot-skills refactor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/refactor/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill refactor -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/pproenca/dot-skills --path skills/.curated/refactor
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/refactor/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill refactor -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/pproenca/dot-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/.curated/refactor/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- split a long method into named steps
- flatten nested conditionals with guard clauses
- pull shared behaviour out of several classes
- replace primitives with domain objects
- spot duplication and dead code before review

## Example prompts
- refactor this module using the refactor skill rules
- break `processOrder` into smaller functions and explain the changes
- scan `src/services/` for code smells and suggest fixes

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

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BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE f194ae86cd17b8b4
```text
---
name: refactor
description: Code refactoring best practices based on Martin Fowler's catalog and Clean Code principles (formerly refactoring). This skill should be used when refactoring existing code, improving code structure, reducing complexity, eliminating code smells, or reviewing code for maintainability. Triggers on tasks involving extract method, rename, decompose conditional, reduce coupling, or improve readability.
---

# Fowler/Martin Code Refactoring Best Practices

Comprehensive code refactoring guide based on Martin Fowler's catalog and Clean Code principles, designed for AI agents and LLMs. Contains 43 rules across 8 categories, prioritized by impact to guide automated refactoring and code generation.

## When to Apply

Reference these guidelines when:
- Refactoring existing code to improve maintainability
- Decomposing long methods or large classes
- Reducing coupling between components
- Simplifying complex conditional logic
- Reviewing code for code smells and anti-patterns

## Rule Categories by Priority

| Priority | Category | Impact | Prefix |
|----------|----------|--------|--------|
| 1 | Structure & Decomposition | CRITICAL | `struct-` |
| 2 | Coupling & Dependencies | CRITICAL | `couple-` |
| 3 | Naming & Clarity | HIGH | `name-` |
| 4 | Conditional Logic | HIGH | `cond-` |
| 5 | Abstraction & Patterns | MEDIUM-HIGH | `pattern-` |
| 6 | Data Organization | MEDIUM | `data-` |
| 7 | Error Handling | MEDIUM | `error-` |
| 8 | Micro-Refactoring | LOW | `micro-` |

## Quick Reference

### 1. Structure & Decomposition (CRITICAL)

- `struct-extract-method` - Extract Method for Long Functions
- `struct-single-responsibility` - Apply Single Responsibility Principle
- `struct-extract-class` - Extract Class from Large Class
- `struct-compose-method` - Compose Method for Readable Flow
- `struct-function-length` - Keep Functions Under 20 Lines
- `struct-replace-method-with-object` - Replace Method with Method Object
- `struct-parameter-object` - Introduce Parameter Object

### 2. Coupling & Dependencies (CRITICAL)

- `couple-dependency-injection` - Use Dependency Injection
- `couple-hide-delegate` - Hide Delegate to Reduce Coupling
- `couple-remove-middle-man` - Remove Middle Man When Excessive
- `couple-feature-envy` - Fix Feature Envy by Moving Methods
- `couple-interface-segregation` - Apply Interface Segregation Principle
- `couple-preserve-whole-object` - Preserve Whole Object Instead of Fields

### 3. Naming & Clarity (HIGH)

- `name-intention-revealing` - Use Intention-Revealing Names
- `name-avoid-abbreviations` - Avoid Abbreviations and Acronyms
- `name-consistent-vocabulary` - Use Consistent Vocabulary
- `name-searchable-names` - Use Searchable Names
- `name-avoid-encodings` - Avoid Type Encodings in Names

### 4. Conditional Logic (HIGH)

- `cond-guard-clauses` - Replace Nested Conditionals with Guard Clauses
- `cond-polymorphism` - Replace Conditional with Polymorphism
- `cond-decompose` - Decompose Complex Conditionals
```
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