batch-rewrite-pattern

name	batch-rewrite-pattern
description	Cascade the same edit pattern across N files safely. Use when applying the same refactor to multiple files (e.g. swap import paths across 11 scripts, rename a symbol, migrate a call signature). Detects the common-shape-across-files situation and turns an N-file cascade into a planned audit → apply → verify workflow instead of N sequential manual edits.
format	"2025-10-02T00:00:00.000Z"
version	1.0.0
status	stable
updated	"2026-04-17T00:00:00.000Z"
type	skill
category	gsd-meta
origin	tibsfox
modified	false
first_seen	"2026-04-17T00:00:00.000Z"
first_path	examples/skills/gsd-meta/batch-rewrite-pattern/SKILL.md
superseded_by	null

Batch Rewrite Pattern

When the same edit needs to land in N files, the worst shape is N sequential manual passes. Each pass collects its own errors; the hook system retriggers; context fills with repetitive diffs. This skill captures the better shape.

Triggers

Activate when any of these apply:

• Renaming a symbol across the tree
• Migrating a function signature (add/remove/reorder args)
• Swapping an import path across modules
• Converting between two patterns (callbacks ↔ promises, v1 ↔ v2 API)
• Any edit where you can describe the transformation as "in every file matching pattern X, replace Y with Z"

Typical count trigger: ≥ 4 files warrant the batch shape.

Workflow

1. Characterize the transformation in one paragraph:

   • What's the before pattern? (regex or literal)
   • What's the after pattern?
   • Are there variants? (single pattern vs family of patterns)
   • Any files that should be exempt?

2. Enumerate candidates with Grep/Glob:

   Grep pattern=BEFORE output=files_with_matches
   

3. Dry-run the rewrite against 1-2 candidates first. Verify:

   • The transformation is correct
   • Surrounding context isn't disturbed
   • No collateral damage

4. Apply in a batch — prefer a single Bash sed/perl invocation or a small rewrite script over N sequential Edit calls:

   for f in $(grep -l 'BEFORE' src/**/*.ts); do
     sed -i -e 's/BEFORE/AFTER/g' "$f"
   done
   

   Or write a one-shot node script that reads each file, applies the transformation, writes back.

5. Verify with the test suite if one exists, or with a grep that the after-pattern is uniformly present and the before-pattern is gone.

6. Single commit covering the whole cascade, scope line listing files.

Anti-patterns to avoid

• Sequential manual Edit calls when the transformation is deterministic. Each Edit triggers hook re-reads and bloats context.