Refactoring TDD

---

name: tdd-workflows-tdd-refactor description: "Use when working with tdd workflows tdd refactor" risk: unknown source: community date_added: "2026-02-27"

Use this skill when

• Working on tdd workflows tdd refactor tasks or workflows
• Needing guidance, best practices, or checklists for tdd workflows tdd refactor

Do not use this skill when

• The task is unrelated to tdd workflows tdd refactor
• You need a different domain or tool outside this scope

Instructions

• Clarify goals, constraints, and required inputs.
• Apply relevant best practices and validate outcomes.
• Provide actionable steps and verification.
• If detailed examples are required, open resources/implementation-playbook.md.

Refactor code with confidence using comprehensive test safety net:

[Extended thinking: This tool uses the tdd-orchestrator agent (opus model) for sophisticated refactoring while maintaining all tests green. It applies design patterns, improves code quality, and optimizes performance with the safety of comprehensive test coverage.]

Usage

Use Task tool with subagent_type="tdd-orchestrator" to perform safe refactoring.

Prompt: "Refactor this code while keeping all tests green: $ARGUMENTS. Apply TDD refactor phase:

Core Process

1. Pre-Assessment

• Run tests to establish green baseline
• Analyze code smells and test coverage
• Document current performance metrics
• Create incremental refactoring plan

2. Code Smell Detection

• Duplicated code → Extract methods/classes
• Long methods → Decompose into focused functions
• Large classes → Split responsibilities
• Long parameter lists → Parameter objects
• Feature Envy → Move methods to appropriate classes
• Primitive Obsession → Value objects
• Switch statements → Polymorphism
• Dead code → Remove

3. Design Patterns

• Apply Creational (Factory, Builder, Singleton)
• Apply Structural (Adapter, Facade, Decorator)
• Apply Behavioral (Strategy, Observer, Command)
• Apply Domain (Repository, Service, Value Objects)
• Use patterns only where they add clear value

4. SOLID Principles

• Single Responsibility: One reason to change
• Open/Closed: Open for extension, closed for modification
• Liskov Substitution: Subtypes substitutable
• Interface Segregation: Small, focused interfaces
• Dependency Inversion: Depend on abstractions

5. Refactoring Techniques

• Extract Method/Variable/Interface
• Inline unnecessary indirection
• Rename for clarity
• Move Method/Field to appropriate classes
• Replace Magic Numbers with constants
• Encapsulate fields
• Replace Conditional with Polymorphism
• Introduce Null Object

6. Performance Optimization

• Profile to identify bottlenecks
• Optimize algorithms and data structures
• Implement caching where beneficial
• Reduce database queries (N+1 elimination)
• Lazy loading and pagination
• Always measure before and after

7. Incremental Steps

• Make small, atomic changes
• Run tests after each modification
• Commit after each successful refactoring
• Keep refactoring separate from behavior changes
• Use scaffolding when needed

8. Architecture Evolution

• Layer separation and dependency management
• Module boundaries and interface definition
• Event-driven patterns for decoupling
• Database access pattern optimization

9. Safety Verification

• Run full test suite after each change
• Performance regression testing
• Mutation testing for test effectiveness
• Rollback plan for major changes

10. Advanced Patterns

• Strangler Fig: Gradual legacy replacement
• Branch by Abstraction: Large-scale changes
• Parallel Change: Expand-contract pattern
• Mikado Method: Dependency graph navigation

Output Requirements

• Refactored code with improvements applied
• Test results (all green)
• Before/after metrics comparison
• Applied refactoring techniques list
• Performance improvement measurements
• Remaining technical debt assessment

Safety Checklist

Before committing:

• ✓ All tests pass (100% green)
• ✓ No functionality regression
• ✓ Performance metrics acceptable
• ✓ Code coverage maintained/improved
• ✓ Documentation updated

Recovery Protocol

If tests fail:

• Immediately revert last change
• Identify breaking refactoring
• Apply smaller incremental changes
• Use version control for safe experimentation

Example: Extract Method Pattern

Before:

class OrderProcessor {
  processOrder(order: Order): ProcessResult {
    // Validation
    if (!order.customerId || order.items.length === 0) {
      return { success: false, error: "Invalid order" };
    }

    // Calculate totals
    let subtotal = 0;
    for (const item of order.items) {
      subtotal += item.price * item.quantity;
    }
    let total = subtotal + (subtotal * 0.08) + (subtotal > 100 ? 0 : 15);

    // Process payment...
    // Update inventory...
    // Send confirmation...
  }
}

After:

class OrderProcessor {
  async processOrder(order: Order): Promise<ProcessResult> {
    const validation = this.validateOrder(order);
    if (!validation.isValid) return ProcessResult.failure(validation.error);

    const orderTotal = OrderTotal.calculate(order);
    const inventoryCheck = await this.inventoryService.checkAvailability(order.items);
    if (!inventoryCheck.available) return ProcessResult.failure(inventoryCheck.reason);

    await this.paymentService.processPayment(order.paymentMethod, orderTotal.total);
    await this.inventoryService.reserveItems(order.items);
    await this.notificationService.sendOrderConfirmation(order, orderTotal);

    return ProcessResult.success(order.id, orderTotal.total);
  }

  private validateOrder(order: Order): ValidationResult {
    if (!order.customerId) return ValidationResult.invalid("Customer ID required");
    if (order.items.length === 0) return ValidationResult.invalid("Order must contain items");
    return ValidationResult.valid();
  }
}

Applied: Extract Method, Value Objects, Dependency Injection, Async patterns

Code to refactor: $ARGUMENTS"

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.