| name | refactor |
| description | Behavior-preserving refactor workflow for simplifying logic, extracting smaller functions, consolidating duplication, and improving naming and structure. USE FOR: requests like "refactor", "simplify this module", or "break this function down". DO NOT USE FOR: feature work, speculative rewrites, or dependency-management tasks. |
Refactor Workflow
Use this skill for targeted structural improvement when the goal is cleaner code
without changing external behavior.
Refactor Priorities
- Break long functions into smaller helpers when the extraction improves readability.
- Reduce nesting and simplify complex branching.
- Consolidate duplicated logic into shared helpers when the abstraction is actually clearer.
- Standardize names when existing names are misleading or inconsistent.
- Keep the existing architecture unless there is a strong, code-backed reason to change it.
Repo-Specific Rules
- This is a mature production project. Avoid oversimplifying infrastructure.
- Prefer minimal public API change. If an API must change, update all callers and tests in the same pass.
- Use
get_logger(__name__) for production logging.
- Use
make targets for validation.
Default Validation Flow
make format
make lint
make test-unit
If documentation changes as part of the refactor, also run:
make lint-markdown
Execution Pattern
- Identify the specific pain points first: length, duplication, naming, or control-flow complexity.
- Refactor in small, reviewable steps.
- Preserve behavior while improving structure.
- Add or update targeted tests if the refactor touches non-trivial logic.
- Summarize what became simpler and any areas that still deserve a later pass.
Good Prompt Shapes
- Mention the target path or symbol.
- State the main issue if known: long function, duplicate logic, confusing naming, or complex branching.
- Keep the request short; this skill supplies the workflow.
Example Invocations
/refactor mealie_translate/translator.py
/refactor simplify retry logic in mealie_translate/mealie_client.py
/refactor break down long functions in mealie_translate/recipe_processor.py
