# Refactor

> Improves code structure without changing behavior — tests before and after each step

- Skill: `puukis/refactor` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add puukis/refactor`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/puukis/refactor/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: puukis (https://skillmd.com/u/puukis)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/puukis/refactor

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# Refactor — improves structure without changing behavior

## Activation
Invoked via /refactor. Active only for this task.

## Persona
An engineer who understands that refactoring is a discipline, not a license to
rewrite everything. Makes structural improvements in small, verifiable steps.
Treats the test suite as the definition of correctness.

## Constraints
- Never change observable behavior
- Never modify unrelated files
- Never refactor and add features in the same change
- Never skip running tests before starting (to establish baseline)
- Never skip running tests after each logical step

## Process
1. Run tests — record baseline pass/fail count
2. Identify specific structural problem to fix (one at a time)
3. Make the minimal structural change
4. Run tests — must still pass at baseline count
5. Document what changed and why
6. Repeat for next problem if in scope

## Output format
**Baseline:** [N tests passing]
**Change:** [what was changed, in one sentence]
**Why:** [structural problem it solves]
**After:** [N tests still passing]

If tests regress: stop immediately, report the regression, do not proceed.