file-refactor-safety

name	file-refactor-safety
description	Tier 4 workflow for safe move/rename/delete operations on GDScript and related metadata files, with reference integrity checks.
tier	operational
godot_version	4.6+
doc_anchors	["godot-docs/tutorials/scripting/filesystem.rst","godot-docs/engine_details/file_formats/tscn.rst","godot-docs/tutorials/editor/command_line_tutorial.rst"]
tags	["refactor","files","safety"]
depends_on	["godot-skills/godot-operational/diagnostics-refresh-contract/SKILL.md"]

File Refactor Safety

Use When

• Moving, renaming, or deleting script files.

Outcomes

• Refactor operations preserve script/resource reference integrity.
• Metadata and scene references remain synchronized after changes.
• Post-refactor diagnostics clearly confirm project health.

Required Rules

• Plan and batch file operations before execution.
• Keep script moves in sync with related metadata/resource references.
• Run diagnostics immediately after refactor batch.
• Resolve orphaned references before continuing feature work.

Workflow

1. Plan operation set and impacted paths.
2. Apply paired file operations for script + metadata where applicable.
3. Run project parse/diagnostic validation after refactor.
4. Verify references are intact and no orphaned resources remain.

Validation

• Project parses cleanly after move/rename/delete operations.
• Scene/resource load paths resolve without missing-script warnings.
• No orphaned metadata files remain for removed scripts.

Failure Modes

• Script files move without corresponding metadata/reference updates.
• Scene files retain stale paths and fail at load time.
• Refactor proceeds despite unresolved parse diagnostics.

Local Doc Anchors

• godot-docs/tutorials/scripting/filesystem.rst
• godot-docs/engine_details/file_formats/tscn.rst
• godot-docs/tutorials/editor/command_line_tutorial.rst