---

name: refactor description: Analyze code and suggest refactoring opportunities with blast radius assessment, risk evaluation, and recommended order of operations license: MIT compatibility:

• runtime:any allowed-tools:
• Read
• Glob
• Grep metadata: author: thoreinstein version: 1.0.0

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Refactor

Analyze code and suggest refactoring opportunities with rationale. This is an analysis-only skill - it identifies and documents refactoring opportunities but does not execute them.

When to Use

• Reviewing code for improvement opportunities
• Planning a refactoring initiative
• Assessing technical debt in a codebase area
• Evaluating complexity, duplication, or coupling concerns
• Understanding blast radius before making changes

Input

• Target: file path, directory/package, or function/component name
• Optional: specific concern (duplication, complexity, coupling, testability, etc.)

Investigation Strategy

Track 1: Codebase Exploration

• Map dependencies and call sites for target code
• Identify blast radius of potential changes
• Find related code with similar patterns
• Assess test coverage of affected areas

Track 2: Code Analysis

• Deep analysis of code smells and patterns
• Identify refactoring opportunities
• Assess complexity metrics
• Evaluate maintainability concerns

Refactoring Patterns

Universal Patterns

| Pattern | Description | |---------|-------------| | Extract function/method | Pull out reusable logic | | Inline function/variable | Remove unnecessary indirection | | Rename | Improve clarity (with blast radius assessment) | | Move | Relocate to better home (file, package, module) | | Replace conditional with polymorphism | Simplify branching | | Introduce parameter object | Group related parameters | | Dependency inversion | Decouple via interfaces/abstractions |

Go-Specific Patterns

| Pattern | Description | |---------|-------------| | Extract interface | Define behavior contracts | | Consolidate error handling | Reduce repetitive error checks | | Replace concrete with interface | Improve testability | | Extract middleware | Separate cross-cutting concerns | | Table-driven refactor | Convert repetitive code to data-driven |

Frontend-Specific Patterns

| Pattern | Description | |---------|-------------| | Extract component | Break down large components | | Extract custom hook | Reuse stateful logic | | Lift state up | Move state to common ancestor | | Push state down | Colocate state with usage | | Extract render function | Simplify complex JSX | | Memoization | Optimize re-renders |

Output

Document the analysis using the template at references/templates/refactor-analysis.md.

The analysis should include:

• Code smells identified with locations
• Suggested refactorings with risk assessment
• Blast radius for each change
• Recommended order of operations
• Test coverage assessment

Constraints

• Analysis only: Do not execute refactorings - document recommendations
• Blast radius required: Every suggestion must include affected files/functions
• Risk assessment required: Every suggestion must be rated Low/Medium/High
• Order matters: Recommend sequence based on risk and dependencies
• Test awareness: Note test coverage and impact for each suggestion

Example

Refactoring Analysis: pkg/auth/handler.go

Target:
- Path: pkg/auth/handler.go
- Scope: file
- Concern: complexity

Summary:
The auth handler has grown to 450 lines with 3 code smells identified.
Recommend extracting token validation and session management into
separate services. Low-risk changes that improve testability.

Code Smells Identified:

1. Long Function (validateAndCreateSession)
   - Location: handler.go:145-280
   - Description: 135-line function handling validation, session
     creation, and response formatting
   - Impact: Hard to test, multiple responsibilities

2. Feature Envy (token validation)
   - Location: handler.go:156-198
   - Description: Handler reaches into token package internals
   - Impact: Tight coupling, changes ripple across packages

Suggested Refactorings:

1. Extract TokenValidator service
   - Type: Extract
   - Target: handler.go:156-198
   - Rationale: Encapsulates token validation logic
   - Blast Radius: handler.go, handler_test.go
   - Risk: Low — isolated logic, good test coverage
   - Test Impact: Add TokenValidator unit tests

2. Extract SessionManager service
   - Type: Extract
   - Target: handler.go:200-250
   - Rationale: Separates session concerns from HTTP handling
   - Blast Radius: handler.go, session.go, handler_test.go
   - Risk: Medium — touches session storage
   - Test Impact: Update integration tests

Recommended Order:
1. TokenValidator first (lowest risk, no dependencies)
2. SessionManager second (depends on cleaner handler)

Begin by identifying the target code and any specific concerns to focus on.