| name | ashlr-cost-refactor |
| description | Token-efficient refactoring discipline for Claude Code. Diff-first before editing, structural edits for renames, find-all-refs then one multi_edit per file, no re-reads between edits, one genome proposal at the end. Reduces refactor session cost 40–65%. |
Ashlr Cost Refactor
A structured discipline for refactoring tasks that minimizes token spend without sacrificing correctness.
Rules (active when this skill is enabled)
1. Diff first
Before editing anything, run ashlr__diff or ashlr__diff_semantic to understand what already changed (staged/unstaged). This prevents redundant edits to files that are already in the state you want.
2. Structural edits for renames
When renaming a symbol, type, or file — use ashlr__edit_structural instead of search/replace. Structural edit finds all references in one pass and renames them correctly, including imports and re-exports.
3. Find all refs, then one ashlr__multi_edit per file
Before editing a file, run ashlr__grep to find all references. Then apply all changes to that file in a single ashlr__multi_edit call. Do not make sequential single edits to the same file — each one burns a full round-trip.
4. No re-reads between edits in a sequence
Once you've read a file and know its structure, proceed through your edit sequence without re-reading. ashlr__edit and ashlr__multi_edit return diffs that confirm each change — that's sufficient to continue.
5. One ashlr__genome_propose at the end
After the refactor is complete and stable, write one genome proposal summarizing the entire change: what was renamed/moved, why, and the affected file paths. Do not propose mid-refactor.
6. Verify with ashlr__bash not Read
After a refactor, confirm with bun run typecheck or bun test via ashlr__bash. Do not re-read edited files to verify — the typecheck output is authoritative and far cheaper.
Sequence template
1. ashlr__diff_semantic() — see what's already changed
2. ashlr__grep("OldName|oldFn") — find all refs
3. ashlr__edit_structural(...) — rename symbols
OR ashlr__multi_edit([...]) — batch all edits per file
4. ashlr__bash("bun run typecheck") — verify, not Read
5. ashlr__genome_propose(summary) — one proposal at the end
Anti-patterns
- Running
Read before each edit in a multi-file refactor
- Making 3 sequential
ashlr__edit calls on the same file
- Re-reading a file after editing it to confirm the change
- Calling
ashlr__genome_propose after each individual edit
Activation
Enable via /ashlr-cost-refactor on or by writing {"enabled":true} to ~/.ashlr/cost-refactor.json. Toggle off with /ashlr-cost-refactor off.
