Refactoring Checklist

Before Refactoring

• • Tests exist and pass
• • Scope is clear (one concern at a time)
• • No behavior change intended

Safe Refactoring Steps

1. Extract

• •Extract method/function: small, focused changes
• •Extract variable: improve readability
• •Extract constant: magic numbers/strings

2. Rename

• •Rename for clarity (IDE rename refactor)
• •Update all references in one pass

3. Move

• •Move function to appropriate module
• •Move code closer to where it's used

4. Simplify

• •Replace conditional with guard clauses
• •Replace nested conditionals with early returns
• •Remove dead code

5. Decompose

• •Split large function into smaller ones
• •Break up large classes

Rules

• •One change per commit when possible
• •Run tests after each step
• •No new features during refactor
• •Preserve behavior — refactor is structural only

Red Flags

• •Changing behavior while refactoring
• •Refactoring without tests
• •Large, multi-file changes without incremental validation
• •Mixing refactor with feature work

Output

• •Before/after complexity (if measurable)
• •List of changes
• •Confirmation that tests still pass