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refactoring

Restructures code to reduce complexity and improve maintainability while preserving behavior.

Updated Sep 2, 2026
Search Tags:#refactoring#python#clean code#technical debt#code smells#solid principles#extract method
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Dazlarus/karl-code --skill refactoring-dazlarus
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: refactoring
Source: https://github.com/Dazlarus/karl-code/tree/main/.agents/skills/refactoring
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Dazlarus/karl-code --skill refactoring-dazlarus

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Codebases accumulate technical debt: long methods, duplicated logic, deep nesting, and SOLID violations that make changes risky and slow. This Skill provides a methodical, test-guarded process for improving code structure without changing external behavior. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Code Smell Detection: Identifies 14+ classic smells such as long methods, large classes, duplicated code, feature envy, and primitive obsession, each mapped to a concrete refactoring technique. - Proven Refactoring Patterns: Provides before/after Python examples for extract method, extract class, replace conditional with polymorphism, parameter objects, guard clauses, and Python 3.12+ idioms like match-case and the walrus operator. - Safety-First Process: Enforces a SAFE workflow (small steps, automated tests, frequent commits, explained changes) with checklists and characterization tests to guarantee behavior preservation. - Use Case: A developer inherits a 200-line function with nested conditionals and no tests. The Skill guides writing characterization tests first, then applying extract method and guard clauses step by step, verifying tests pass after each change. ## Quick Start Ask the agent to refactor the long process_order function in checkout.py using extract method while keeping all tests passing.

Frequently Asked Questions about refactoring

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I refactor a long function without breaking it?▼

Refactor a long function by first ensuring tests pass, then applying extract method to split it into smaller single-purpose functions. Run tests after each small change and commit frequently so any regression is immediately isolated.

What are common code smells and how to fix them?▼

Common code smells include long methods, duplicated code, long parameter lists, and feature envy. Each maps to a specific fix: extract method, extract shared logic, introduce parameter objects, or move methods to the class owning the data.

When should I not refactor code?▼

Do not refactor code with failing tests, code you do not understand, code under active development, or critical untested code. Fix tests, study the code, or add characterization tests first before changing structure.

Does refactoring change the behavior of my code?▼

Proper refactoring never changes external behavior; tests must pass identically before and after, and output must remain the same. The golden rule is structural improvement only, verified by running the test suite after every step.

How do I replace switch statements with polymorphism in Python?▼

Replace type-based conditionals by defining an abstract base class with a common method, then creating one subclass per type that implements it. In Python 3.12+, simple dispatch cases can also use match-case statements instead.

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