ashlr-cost-refactor

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.