Code Refactoring Patterns

Code Refactoring Patterns

A comprehensive guide to refactoring code systematically while maintaining functionality and improving quality.

When to Refactor

• Code smells detected (duplicated code, long functions, etc.)
• Before adding new features to complex areas
• After understanding improves ("now I see a better way")
• When tests are in place
• Performance optimization needed

Refactoring Rules

1. Never refactor without tests: Write tests first if they don't exist
2. Small steps: Make one change at a time
3. Run tests after each change: Ensure nothing breaks
4. Commit often: Each working refactor is a commit
5. Don't mix refactoring with feature work: Separate concerns

Common Code Smells

1. Long Method/Function

Smell: Functions over 20-30 lines

Refactor: Extract Method

// Before
function processOrder(order: Order) {
  // Validate order (10 lines)
  // Calculate totals (15 lines)
  // Apply discounts (12 lines)
  // Send confirmation (8 lines)
}

// After
function processOrder(order: Order) {
  validateOrder(order);
  const totals = calculateTotals(order);
  const finalPrice = applyDiscounts(totals, order);
  sendConfirmation(order, finalPrice);
}

2. Duplicated Code

Smell: Same code in multiple places

Refactor: Extract Function/Class

// Before
function formatUserName(user: User) {
  return `${user.firstName} ${user.lastName}`;
}

function formatAuthorName(author: Author) {
  return `${author.firstName} ${author.lastName}`;
}

// After
function formatFullName(person: { firstName: string; lastName: string }) {
  return `${person.firstName} ${person.lastName}`;
}

3. Long Parameter List

Smell: Functions with 4+ parameters

Refactor: Parameter Object

// Before
function createUser(
  firstName: string,
  lastName: string,
  email: string,
  phone: string,
  address: string
) { }

// After
interface UserDetails {
  firstName: string;
  lastName: string;
  email: string;
  phone: string;
  address: string;
}

function createUser(details: UserDetails) { }

4. Large Class

Smell: Classes with many responsibilities

Refactor: Extract Class

// Before
class UserManager {
  createUser() { }
  deleteUser() { }
  sendEmail() { }
  generateReport() { }
  logActivity() { }
}

// After
class UserService {
  createUser() { }
  deleteUser() { }
}

class EmailService {
  sendEmail() { }
}

class ReportService {
  generateReport() { }
}

5. Feature Envy

Smell: Method uses data from another class more than its own

Refactor: Move Method

// Before
class Order {
  calculate() {
    return this.customer.getDiscount() * this.amount;
  }
}

// After
class Customer {
  calculateOrderAmount(order: Order) {
    return this.getDiscount() * order.amount;
  }
}

Refactoring Techniques

Extract Method

Break large functions into smaller, named pieces:

// Before
function renderUser(user: User) {
  console.log(``);
  console.log(`  ${user.firstName} ${user.lastName}`);
  console.log(`  ${user.email}`);
  console.log(``);
}

// After
function renderUser(user: User) {
  console.log(``);
  console.log(`  ${renderUserHeader(user)}`);
  console.log(`  ${renderUserEmail(user)}`);
  console.log(``);
}

function renderUserHeader(user: User) {
  return `${user.firstName} ${user.lastName}`;
}

function renderUserEmail(user: User) {
  return `${user.email}`;
}

Rename for Clarity

Use descriptive names:

// Before
function calc(a: number, b: number) {
  return a * b * 0.08;
}

// After
function calculateSalesTax(amount: number, quantity: number) {
  const TAX_RATE = 0.08;
  return amount * quantity * TAX_RATE;
}

Introduce Explaining Variable

Make complex expressions clear:

// Before
if (platform.toUpperCase().includes('MAC') && 
    browser.toUpperCase().includes('IE') &&
    wasInitialized() && resized) {
  // do something
}

// After
const isMacOS = platform.toUpperCase().includes('MAC');
const isIE = browser.toUpperCase().includes('IE');
const wasResized = wasInitialized() && resized;

if (isMacOS && isIE && wasResized) {
  // do something
}

Replace Conditional with Polymorphism

Use inheritance/interfaces instead of switch/if-else chains:

// Before
function getSpeed(vehicle: Vehicle) {
  switch (vehicle.type) {
    case 'car': return vehicle.speed * 1.0;
    case 'bike': return vehicle.speed * 0.8;
    case 'truck': return vehicle.speed * 0.6;
  }
}

// After
interface Vehicle {
  getSpeed(): number;
}

class Car implements Vehicle {
  getSpeed() { return this.speed * 1.0; }
}

class Bike implements Vehicle {
  getSpeed() { return this.speed * 0.8; }
}

Simplify Conditional Logic

Use early returns and guard clauses:

// Before
function processPayment(payment: Payment) {
  if (payment.isValid()) {
    if (payment.amount > 0) {
      if (payment.method === 'card') {
        // process card payment
      } else {
        // invalid method
      }
    } else {
      // invalid amount
    }
  } else {
    // invalid payment
  }
}

// After
function processPayment(payment: Payment) {
  if (!payment.isValid()) {
    throw new Error('Invalid payment');
  }
  
  if (payment.amount <= 0) {
    throw new Error('Invalid amount');
  }
  
  if (payment.method !== 'card') {
    throw new Error('Invalid method');
  }
  
  // process card payment
}

Refactoring Workflow

Step 1: Understand Current Code

# Read the code thoroughly
cat src/feature.ts

# Check tests
cat src/feature.test.ts

# Find all usages
grep -r "functionName" src/

Step 2: Ensure Tests Exist

# Run existing tests
npm test src/feature.test.ts

# Add missing tests if needed

Step 3: Refactor in Small Steps

# Make one refactoring change
# Run tests
npm test

# Commit if tests pass
git add . && git commit -m "refactor: extract method calculateTotal"

# Repeat for next refactoring

Step 4: Verify No Regression

# Run full test suite
npm test

# Check type errors
npx tsc --noEmit

# Verify lint
npm run lint

Step 5: Performance Check

# Compare before/after if performance-critical
npm run benchmark

Refactoring Checklist

Before refactoring:

• [ ] Tests exist and pass
• [ ] Understand current behavior
• [ ] Know why refactoring is needed
• [ ] Have time to complete refactoring

During refactoring:

• [ ] Make one change at a time
• [ ] Run tests after each change
• [ ] Keep commits small and focused
• [ ] Don't add features during refactoring

After refactoring:

• [ ] All tests pass
• [ ] No type errors
• [ ] Lint passes
• [ ] Code review completed
• [ ] Documentation updated if needed

Integration Points

Complements:

• verification-loop: For validation after refactoring
• tdd-workflow: For test-first approach
• coding-standards-enforcer: For style consistency
• testing-patterns: For test design

Refactoring Anti-Patterns

❌ Don't:

• Refactor without tests
• Mix refactoring with feature work
• Make large changes at once
• Refactor code you don't understand
• Skip verification steps

✅ Do:

• Write tests first
• Separate refactoring commits
• Make incremental changes
• Understand code before refactoring
• Run tests frequently

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: organvm
• Source: organvm/a-i--skills
• License: Apache-2.0
• Homepage: https://organvm.github.io/a-i--skills/

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.