Individual skill

refactor

Code refactoring best practices based on Martin Fowler's catalog and Clean Code principles (formerly refactoring). This skill should be used when refactoring existing code, improving code structure, reducing complexity, eliminating code smells, or reviewing code for maintainability. Triggers on tasks involving extract method, rename, decompose conditional, reduce coupling, or improve readability.

skills/.curated/refactor/SKILL.md

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Observed behavior: Instructions only
Last checked: Nov 5, 2026

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Repository stars (not skill ratings): 221
Repository last updated: Aug 15, 2026
License: MIT

Observed agent integration: codex

engineering Derived category

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AGENTS.mddoc · 8,772 bytes
README.mddoc · 4,386 bytes
SKILL.mdcore · 4,915 bytes
assets/templates/_template.mddoc · 827 bytes
metadata.jsonasset · 882 bytes
references/_sections.mddoc · 1,930 bytes
references/cond-consolidate.mddoc · 2,356 bytes
references/cond-decompose.mddoc · 2,234 bytes
references/cond-guard-clauses.mddoc · 2,399 bytes
references/cond-lookup-table.mddoc · 2,522 bytes
references/cond-polymorphism.mddoc · 2,526 bytes
references/cond-special-case.mddoc · 2,410 bytes
references/couple-dependency-injection.mddoc · 2,311 bytes
references/couple-feature-envy.mddoc · 2,049 bytes
references/couple-hide-delegate.mddoc · 1,845 bytes
references/couple-interface-segregation.mddoc · 2,206 bytes
references/couple-preserve-whole-object.mddoc · 2,119 bytes
references/couple-remove-middle-man.mddoc · 2,054 bytes
references/data-encapsulate-collection.mddoc · 2,279 bytes
references/data-encapsulate-record.mddoc · 2,604 bytes
references/data-replace-primitive.mddoc · 2,842 bytes
references/data-replace-temp-with-query.mddoc · 2,119 bytes
references/data-split-variable.mddoc · 2,733 bytes
references/error-custom-exceptions.mddoc · 3,160 bytes
references/error-exceptions-over-codes.mddoc · 2,768 bytes
references/error-fail-fast.mddoc · 2,556 bytes
references/error-separate-concerns.mddoc · 3,369 bytes
references/micro-inline-variable.mddoc · 2,216 bytes
references/micro-remove-dead-code.mddoc · 2,101 bytes
references/micro-rename-for-clarity.mddoc · 2,048 bytes
references/micro-simplify-expressions.mddoc · 2,023 bytes
references/name-avoid-abbreviations.mddoc · 1,792 bytes
references/name-avoid-encodings.mddoc · 2,058 bytes
references/name-consistent-vocabulary.mddoc · 1,862 bytes
references/name-intention-revealing.mddoc · 1,427 bytes
references/name-searchable-names.mddoc · 1,708 bytes
references/pattern-composition-over-inheritance.mddoc · 2,323 bytes
references/pattern-extract-superclass.mddoc · 2,523 bytes
references/pattern-factory.mddoc · 3,350 bytes
references/pattern-open-closed.mddoc · 2,776 bytes
references/pattern-strategy.mddoc · 3,032 bytes
references/pattern-template-method.mddoc · 3,222 bytes
references/struct-compose-method.mddoc · 2,762 bytes
references/struct-extract-class.mddoc · 2,250 bytes
references/struct-extract-method.mddoc · 2,494 bytes
references/struct-function-length.mddoc · 3,099 bytes
references/struct-parameter-object.mddoc · 2,526 bytes
references/struct-replace-method-with-object.mddoc · 3,820 bytes
references/struct-single-responsibility.mddoc · 2,241 bytes

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# Fowler/Martin Code Refactoring Best Practices

Comprehensive code refactoring guide based on Martin Fowler's catalog and Clean Code principles, designed for AI agents and LLMs. Contains 43 rules across 8 categories, prioritized by impact to guide automated refactoring and code generation.

## When to Apply

Reference these guidelines when:
- Refactoring existing code to improve maintainability
- Decomposing long methods or large classes
- Reducing coupling between components
- Simplifying complex conditional logic
- Reviewing code for code smells and anti-patterns

## Rule Categories by Priority