Methods

Extract Methods Refactor

Ask the user for the file or directory to refactor. Support multiple files if a directory is provided.

Process

Work through these steps in order, making a separate commit for each extraction:

1. Extract simple helper methods

   • Calculations, formatting, simple logic
   • Single responsibility, behavior-focused names
   • Pass necessary parameters rather than sharing state

2. Extract complex logic blocks

   • Validation, transformations, data processing
   • Well-named methods that reveal intent
   • Apply proper access modifiers (private for helpers)

3. Extract control flow sections

   • Only when it improves readability
   • Avoid over-extraction that hurts clarity

After EACH extraction:

• Run tests automatically
• If tests fail, revert the change immediately
• If tests pass and using IDE refactoring tool, commit: . r <description>
• If tests pass but manual refactoring, commit: ^ r <description>

Guidelines

• Extract pragmatically to improve code organization
• Name methods based on behavior not implementation
• Ensure each method ≤ 25 lines
• Preserve original functionality exactly

Output

• If no methods to extract, report "No methods to extract"
• Otherwise provide brief summary (e.g., "Extracted 5 methods from 3 large blocks")

Commit Format

Use Arlo's Commit Notation (ACN):

• . r extract validateUserCredentials method - IDE refactoring
• ^ r extract transformRawStockData method - Manual refactoring