
Refactor Plan
OfficialFreePlan your multi-file refactors with precision.
Free · Opens the source repo
What Refactor Plan does
Refactoring code across multiple files can be a complex and risky task, especially in larger codebases. The Refactor Plan skill provides a structured approach to ensure that changes are made safely and effectively. By creating a detailed plan before any code modifications, developers can minimize risks and maintain code quality. This skill is particularly useful for teams or individuals who need to coordinate changes across various parts of a project, ensuring that all dependencies and potential issues are addressed before implementation.
The process begins with a thorough investigation of the current codebase. This includes understanding the existing implementation, tests, configurations, and documentation. By identifying affected files, ownership boundaries, and dependencies, the skill helps developers create a comprehensive plan tailored to the specific repository. The plan is organized into phases, starting with changes to types and interfaces, followed by implementation, testing, and cleanup. Each phase includes verification steps to ensure that changes are functioning as intended.
Additionally, the Refactor Plan skill emphasizes the importance of rollback strategies for the riskiest phases of the refactor. This ensures that if something goes wrong, there are clear steps to undo the changes and restore the previous state. By outputting a complete plan and requiring user confirmation before proceeding, the skill fosters a careful and deliberate approach to refactoring that can significantly reduce the likelihood of introducing bugs or breaking existing functionality.
This skill is ideal for developers working in collaborative environments or those managing large codebases where changes can have wide-ranging impacts. It provides a clear framework for planning and executing refactors, making it easier to maintain code quality and consistency throughout the development process.
When to use it
Use this skill when you need to plan a refactor that affects multiple files and want to ensure a safe execution.
When not to use it
This skill may not be necessary for small, isolated changes where the impact is minimal and easily manageable.
What you can build with it
Planning a Major Refactor
When preparing to refactor a large module, use this skill to create a detailed plan that outlines each step and verifies changes.
Collaborative Code Changes
In a team environment, utilize this skill to ensure all developers are aligned on the refactoring process before making changes.
Risk Management in Refactoring
When dealing with legacy code, apply this skill to identify dependencies and risks, ensuring a safe refactor with rollback options.
How to install Refactor Plan
View source1. Install with the skills CLI
npx skills add github/awesome-copilot/refactor-plan --agent claude-code2. Or install it manually
Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.
Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs
Inside SKILL.md
Written by githubRefactor Plan
Create a detailed plan before making any code changes.
Instructions
- Do not edit files while preparing the plan.
- Search the codebase to understand the current state. Read enough implementation, tests, configuration, and docs to make the plan specific to the repository.
- Identify affected files, ownership boundaries, dependencies, and likely hidden coupling.
- Plan changes in a safe sequence. Prefer contracts and types first, then implementations, then callers, then tests, then cleanup.
- Include verification steps between phases and a final validation command.
- Include rollback or recovery steps for the riskiest phases.
- Output the complete plan using the format below.
- Stop after the plan and ask for confirmation before implementing. If the user already asked you to implement, still produce the plan first and wait for confirmation unless they explicitly said to continue without review after the plan.
If the request is too ambiguous to plan safely, ask concise clarifying questions instead of editing files.
Output Format
## Refactor Plan: [title]
### Current State
[Brief description of how things work now]
### Target State
[Brief description of how things will work after]
### Affected Files
| File | Change Type | Dependencies |
|------|-------------|--------------|
| path | modify/create/delete | blocks X, blocked by Y |
### Execution Plan
#### Phase 1: Types and Interfaces
- [ ] Step 1.1: [action] in `file.ts`
- [ ] Verify: [how to check it worked]
#### Phase 2: Implementation
- [ ] Step 2.1: [action] in `file.ts`
- [ ] Verify: [how to check]
#### Phase 3: Tests
- [ ] Step 3.1: Update tests in `file.test.ts`
- [ ] Verify: Run `npm test`
#### Phase 4: Cleanup
- [ ] Remove deprecated code
- [ ] Update documentation
### Rollback Plan
If something fails:
1. [Step to undo]
2. [Step to undo]
### Risks
- [Potential issue and mitigation]
After the plan, ask: "Shall I proceed with Phase 1?"
Frequently asked questions about Refactor Plan
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