# Refactor Safely

> Plan and execute safe refactoring using dependency analysis

- Skill: `gabrielmoreira/refactor-safely-2` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add gabrielmoreira/refactor-safely-2`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/gabrielmoreira/refactor-safely-2/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: gabrielmoreira (https://skillmd.com/u/gabrielmoreira)
- Updated: 2026-09-21
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/gabrielmoreira/refactor-safely-2

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## Refactor Safely

Plan a refactor from the dependency graph and apply renames from a preview.

### Steps

1. Call `refactor_tool` with `mode="suggest"` for refactoring candidates, or `mode="dead_code"` for unreferenced code.
2. For a rename, call `refactor_tool` with `mode="rename"`, `old_name` and `new_name`. Check the returned edit list before applying.
3. Call `apply_refactor_tool` with the returned `refactor_id` to apply the rename.
4. Before a large refactor, call `get_impact_radius_tool` and `get_affected_flows_tool` to see the dependents and critical paths involved.
5. Call `find_large_functions_tool` to find functions worth splitting.
6. After the change, call `detect_changes_tool` to confirm the impact matches the plan.

## Token Efficiency Rules
- Call `get_minimal_context_tool(task="<your task>")` before any other graph tool.
- Pass `detail_level="minimal"` wherever a tool accepts it. Use "standard" only when minimal is not enough.
- Prefer a targeted `query_graph_tool` call over a broad listing call.
- Budget: about five tool calls and 800 tokens of graph output per task.
- Read the implementation and its tests before changing code. The graph narrows scope; it does not replace the source.