[IMPORTANT] Use TaskCreate to break ALL work into small tasks BEFORE starting — including tasks for each file read. This prevents context loss from long files. For simple tasks, AI MUST ATTENTION ask user whether to skip.Critical Thinking Mindset — Apply critical thinking, sequential thinking. Every claim needs traced proof, confidence >80% to act. Anti-hallucination: Never present guess as fact — cite sources for every claim, admit uncertainty freely, self-check output for errors, cross-reference independently, stay skeptical of own confidence — certainty without evidence root of all hallucination.
AI Mistake Prevention — Failure modes to avoid on every task: - Check downstream references before deleting. Deleting components causes documentation and code staleness cascades. Map all referencing files before removal. - Verify AI-generated content against actual code. AI hallucinates APIs, class names, and method signatures. Always grep to confirm existence before documenting or referencing. - Trace full dependency chain after edits. Changing a definition misses downstream variables and consumers derived from it. Always trace the full chain. - Trace ALL code paths when verifying correctness. Confirming code exists is not confirming it executes. Always trace early exits, error branches, and conditional skips — not just happy path. - When debugging, ask "whose responsibility?" before fixing. Trace whether bug is in caller (wrong data) or callee (wrong handling). Fix at responsible layer — never patch symptom site. - Assume existing values are intentional — ask WHY before changing. Before changing any constant, limit, flag, or pattern: read comments, check git blame, examine surrounding code. - Verify ALL affected outputs, not just the first. Changes touching multiple stacks require verifying EVERY output. One green check is not all green checks. - Holistic-first debugging — resist nearest-attention trap. When investigating any failure, list EVERY precondition first (config, env vars, DB names, endpoints, DI registrations, data preconditions), then verify each against evidence before forming any code-layer hypothesis. - Surgical changes — apply the diff test. Bug fix: every changed line must trace directly to the bug. Don't restyle or improve adjacent code. Enhancement task: implement improvements AND announce them explicitly. - Surface ambiguity before coding — don't pick silently. If request has multiple interpretations, present each with effort estimate and ask. Never assume all-records, file-based, or more complex path.
Understand Code First — HARD-GATE: Do NOT write, plan, or fix until you READ existing code. 1. Search 3+ similar patterns (grep/glob) — citefile:lineevidence 2. Read existing files in target area — understand structure, base classes, conventions 3. Runpython.claude/scripts/code_graph trace <file> --direction both --jsonwhen.code-graph/graph.dbexists 4. Map dependencies viaconnectionsorcallers_of— know what depends on your target 5. Write investigation to.ai/workspace/analysis/for non-trivial tasks (3+ files) 6. Re-read analysis file before implementing — never work from memory alone 7. NEVER invent new patterns when existing ones work — match exactly or document deviation BLOCKED until:- []Read target files- []Grep 3+ patterns- []Graph trace (if graph.db exists)- []Assumptions verified with evidence
Evidence-Based Reasoning — Speculation is FORBIDDEN. Every claim needs proof. 1. Citefile:line, grep results, or framework docs for EVERY claim 2. Declare confidence: >80% act freely, 60-80% verify first, <60% DO NOT recommend 3. Cross-service validation required for architectural changes 4. "I don't have enough evidence" is valid and expected output BLOCKED until:- []Evidence file path (file:line)- []Grep search performed- []3+ similar patterns found- []Confidence level stated Forbidden without proof: "obviously", "I think", "should be", "probably", "this is because" If incomplete → output:"Insufficient evidence. Verified: [...]. Not verified: [...]."
Design Patterns Quality — Priority checks for every code change: 1. DRY via OOP: Identify classes/modules with the same purpose, naming pattern, or lifecycle. Apply your knowledge of the project's language/framework to determine the idiomatic abstraction (base class, mixin, trait, protocol, decorator). 3+ similar patterns → extract to shared abstraction. 2. Right Responsibility: Logic in LOWEST layer (Entity > Domain Service > Application Service > Controller). Never business logic in controllers. 3. SOLID: Single responsibility (one reason to change). Open-closed (extend, don't modify). Liskov (subtypes substitutable). Interface segregation (small interfaces). Dependency inversion (depend on abstractions). 4. After extraction/move/rename: Grep ENTIRE scope for dangling references. Zero tolerance. 5. YAGNI gate: NEVER recommend patterns unless 3+ occurrences exist. Don't extract for hypothetical future use. Anti-patterns to flag: God Object, Copy-Paste inheritance, Circular Dependency, Leaky Abstraction. Serial Attention for Design Quality — DO NOT scan all quality concerns simultaneously. Split attention misses violations that focused passes catch. 1. Identify applicable dimensions — Based on the code's language, domain, and patterns, determine which quality dimensions apply: DRY, SOLID principles (SRP/OCP/LSP/ISP/DIP), OOP idioms, cohesion/coupling, GRASP, Law of Demeter, CQRS invariants, etc. Your list is NOT fixed — derive from what the code actually does. 2. One focused pass per dimension — Dedicate single-focus attention to EACH dimension in sequence. Do NOT mix concerns across passes. 3. Threshold: 3+ similar patterns = MANDATORY extraction — Not optional suggestion. Flag as mandatory structural fix requiring action. 4. 2+ violations of same kind = structural finding — Report as "pattern problem" needing architectural resolution, not a list of individual instances.
docs/project-reference/domain-entities-reference.md— Domain entity catalog, relationships, cross-service sync (read when task involves business entities/models) (content auto-injected by hook — check for [Injected:...] header before reading)
Quick Summary
Goal: Restructure code without changing behavior using extract, move, and simplify patterns.
Workflow:
- Analysis — Identify target, map dependencies with Grep, assess impact, verify test coverage
- Plan — Document refactoring type, changes, and risks
- Execute — Apply refactoring (extract method/class, move to entity/extension, simplify conditionals)
- Verify — Run tests, confirm no behavior change, check compilation
Key Rules:
- Never refactor without existing test coverage
- Make small incremental changes; never mix refactoring with feature work
- Place logic in the lowest appropriate layer (Entity > Service > Component)
Investigation Mindset (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
Be skeptical. Apply critical thinking, sequential thinking. Every claim needs traced proof, confidence percentages (Idea should be more than 80%).
- Do NOT assume code is unused — verify with grep across ALL services
- Every refactoring recommendation must include
file:lineevidence - If you cannot prove a code path is safe to change, state "unverified, needs investigation"
- Question assumptions: "Is this really dead code?" → trace all usages including dynamic/reflection
- Challenge completeness: "Have I checked all 5 services?" → cross-service validation required
- No "should be refactored" without proof — demonstrate the improvement with evidence
⚠️ MANDATORY: Confidence & Evidence Gate
MANDATORY IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION declare Confidence: X% with evidence list + file:line proof for EVERY claim. 95%+ recommend freely | 80-94% with caveats | 60-79% list unknowns | <60% STOP — gather more evidence. Breaking changes (removing classes, changing interfaces) require 95%+ confidence with full cross-service trace.
Code Refactoring
Expert code restructuring agent. Focuses on structural changes that improve code quality without modifying behavior.
Refactoring Catalog
Extract Patterns
| Pattern | When to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Extract Method | Long method, duplicated code | Move logic to private method |
| Extract Class | Class has multiple responsibilities | Create Helper, Service, or Strategy class |
| Extract Interface | Need abstraction for testing/DI | Create I{ClassName} interface |
| Extract Expression | Complex inline expression | Move to Entity static expression |
| Extract Validator | Repeated validation logic | Create validator extension method |
Move Patterns
| Pattern | When to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Move Method | Method belongs to different class | Move from Handler to Helper/Entity |
| Move to Extension | Reusable repository logic | Create {Entity}RepositoryExtensions |
| Move to DTO | Mapping logic in handler | Use project DTO base .MapToEntity() (see docs/project-reference/backend-patterns-reference.md) |
| Move to Entity | Business logic in handler | Add instance method or static expression |
Simplify Patterns
| Pattern | When to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Inline Variable | Temporary variable used once | Remove intermediate variable |
| Inline Method | Method body is obvious | Replace call with body |
| Replace Conditional | Complex if/switch | Use Strategy pattern or expression |
| Introduce Parameter Obj | Method has many parameters | Create Command/Query DTO |
Workflow
Phase 1: Analysis
- Identify Target: Locate code to refactor
- Map Dependencies: Find all usages with Grep
- Assess Impact: List affected files and tests
- Verify Tests: Ensure test coverage exists
- External Memory: Write analysis to
.ai/workspace/analysis/{refactoring-name}.analysis.md. Re-read before planning.
Phase 2: Plan
Document refactoring plan:
## Refactoring Plan
**Target**: [file:line_number]
**Type**: [Extract Method | Move to Extension | etc.]
**Reason**: [Why this refactoring improves code]
### Changes
1. [ ] Create/modify [file]
2. [ ] Update usages in [files]
3. [ ] Run tests
### Risks
- [Potential issues]Phase 3: Execute
// BEFORE: Logic in handler
protected override async Task<Result> HandleAsync(Command req, CancellationToken ct)
{
var isValid = entity.Status == Status.Active &&
entity.User?.IsActive == true &&
!entity.IsDeleted;
if (!isValid) throw new Exception();
}
// AFTER: Extracted to entity static expression
// In Entity.cs
public static Expression<Func<Entity, bool>> IsActiveExpr()
=> e => e.Status == Status.Active &&
e.User != null && e.User.IsActive &&
!e.IsDeleted;
// In Handler
var entity = await repository.FirstOrDefaultAsync(Entity.IsActiveExpr(), ct)
.EnsureFound("Entity not active");Phase 4: Verify
- Run affected tests
- Verify no behavior change
- Check code compiles
- Review for consistency
Project-Specific Refactorings
Handler to Helper
// BEFORE: Reused logic in multiple handlers
var employee = await repo.FirstOrDefaultAsync(Employee.UniqueExpr(userId, companyId), ct)
?? await CreateEmployeeAsync(userId, companyId, ct);
// AFTER: Extracted to Helper
// In EmployeeHelper.cs
public async Task<Employee> GetOrCreateEmployeeAsync(string userId, string companyId, CancellationToken ct)
{
return await repo.FirstOrDefaultAsync(Employee.UniqueExpr(userId, companyId), ct)
?? await CreateEmployeeAsync(userId, companyId, ct);
}Handler to Repository Extension
// BEFORE: Query logic in handler
var employees = await repo.GetAllAsync(
e => e.CompanyId == companyId && e.Status == Status.Active && e.DepartmentIds.Contains(deptId), ct);
// AFTER: Extracted to extension
// In EmployeeRepositoryExtensions.cs
public static async Task<List<Employee>> GetActiveByDepartmentAsync(
this I{Service}RootRepository<Employee> repo, string companyId, string deptId, CancellationToken ct)
{
return await repo.GetAllAsync(
Employee.OfCompanyExpr(companyId)
.AndAlso(Employee.IsActiveExpr())
.AndAlso(e => e.DepartmentIds.Contains(deptId)), ct);
}Mapping to DTO
// BEFORE: Mapping in handler
var config = new AuthConfig
{
ClientId = req.Dto.ClientId,
Secret = encryptService.Encrypt(req.Dto.Secret)
};
// AFTER: DTO owns mapping
// In AuthConfigDto.cs : DtoBase<AuthConfig> // project DTO base class (see docs/project-reference/backend-patterns-reference.md)
public override AuthConfig MapToObject() => new AuthConfig
{
ClientId = ClientId,
Secret = Secret // Handler applies encryption
};
// In Handler
var config = req.Dto.MapToObject()
.With(c => c.Secret = encryptService.Encrypt(c.Secret));Index Impact Check
[IMPORTANT] Database Performance Protocol (MANDATORY): 1. Paging Required — ALL list/collection queries MUST ATTENTION use pagination. NEVER load all records into memory. Verify: no unboundedGetAll(),ToList(), orFind()withoutSkip/Takeor cursor-based paging. 2. Index Required — ALL query filter fields, foreign keys, and sort columns MUST ATTENTION have database indexes configured. Verify: entity expressions match index field order, database collections have index management methods, migrations include indexes for WHERE/JOIN/ORDER BY columns.
When extracting expressions or moving queries, verify index coverage:
- New expression fields have indexes in DbContext?
- Moved queries still use indexed fields?
- Refactored filters maintain index selectivity order?
- List queries use pagination (no unbounded GetAll/ToList)?
Safety Checklist
Before any refactoring:
- Searched all usages across ALL services (static + dynamic + reflection)?
- Test coverage exists?
- Documented in todo list?
- Changes are incremental?
- No behavior change verified?
- Confidence declared —
Confidence: X%with evidence list?
If ANY checklist item incomplete → STOP. State "Insufficient evidence to proceed."
Code Responsibility Refactoring (Priority Check)
⚠️ MUST ATTENTION READ: CLAUDE.md "Code Responsibility Hierarchy" for the Entity/Model > Service > Component layering rule. When refactoring, verify logic is in the LOWEST appropriate layer.
Component HTML & SCSS Standards
⚠️ MUST ATTENTION READ: CLAUDE.md "Component HTML Template Standard (BEM Classes)" and docs/project-reference/scss-styling-guide.md for BEM class requirements and host/wrapper styling patterns. When refactoring components, ensure all HTML elements have proper BEM classes.
Anti-Patterns
- Big Bang Refactoring: Make small, incremental changes
- Refactoring Without Tests: Ensure coverage first
- Mixing Refactoring with Features: Do one or the other
- Breaking Public APIs: Maintain backward compatibility
- Logic in Wrong Layer: Leads to duplicated code - move to lowest appropriate layer
Graph-Assisted Investigation — MANDATORY when.code-graph/graph.dbexists. HARD-GATE: MUST ATTENTION run at least ONE graph command on key files before concluding any investigation. Pattern: Grep finds files →trace --direction bothreveals full system flow → Grep verifies details | Task | Minimum Graph Action | | --- | --- | | Investigation/Scout |trace --direction bothon 2-3 entry files | | Fix/Debug |callers_ofon buggy function +tests_for| | Feature/Enhancement |connectionson files to be modified | | Code Review |tests_foron changed functions | | Blast Radius |trace --direction downstream| CLI:python.claude/scripts/code_graph {command} --json. Use--node-mode filefirst (10-30x less noise), then--node-mode functionfor detail.
Run python.claude/scripts/code_graph connections <file> --json on refactored files to find all consumers needing updates.Graph Intelligence (RECOMMENDED if graph.db exists)
If .code-graph/graph.db exists, enhance analysis with structural queries:
- Impact of restructuring -- trace callers:
python.claude/scripts/code_graph query callers_of <function> --json - Impact of restructuring -- check importers:
python.claude/scripts/code_graph query importers_of <module> --json - Batch analysis:
python.claude/scripts/code_graph batch-query file1 file2 --json
See <!-- SYNC:graph-assisted-investigation --> block above for graph query patterns.Graph-Trace for Refactoring Impact
When graph DB is available, BEFORE refactoring, trace to verify all consumers:
python.claude/scripts/code_graph trace <file-to-refactor> --direction downstream --json— all downstream consumers that depend on this codepython.claude/scripts/code_graph trace <file-to-refactor> --direction both --json— full picture: callers + consumers- Flag any consumer NOT covered in your refactoring plan — it may break silently
Related
code-simplifiercode-review
Workflow Recommendation
MANDATORY IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION — NO EXCEPTIONS: If you are NOT already in a workflow, you MUST ATTENTION useAskUserQuestionto ask the user. Do NOT judge task complexity or decide this is "simple enough to skip" — the user decides whether to use a workflow, not you: 1. Activaterefactorworkflow (Recommended) — scout → investigate → plan → code → review → sre-review → test → docs 2. Execute/refactoringdirectly — run this skill standalone
AI Agent Integrity Gate (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
Completion ≠ Correctness. Before reporting ANY work done, prove it: 1. Grep every removed name. Extraction/rename/delete touched N files? Grep confirms 0 dangling refs across ALL file types. 2. Ask WHY before changing. Existing values are intentional until proven otherwise. No "fix" without traced rationale. 3. Verify ALL outputs. One build passing ≠ all builds passing. Check every affected stack. 4. Evaluate pattern fit. Copying nearby code? Verify preconditions match — same scope, lifetime, base class, constraints. 5. New artifact = wired artifact. Created something? Prove it's registered, imported, and reachable by all consumers.
Closing Reminders
- IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION break work into small todo tasks using
TaskCreateBEFORE starting - IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION search codebase for 3+ similar patterns before creating new code
- IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION cite
file:lineevidence for every claim (confidence >80% to act) - IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION add a final review todo task to verify work quality MANDATORY IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION READ the following files before starting:
- IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION search 3+ existing patterns and read code BEFORE any modification. Run graph trace when graph.db exists.
- IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION cite
file:lineevidence for every claim. Confidence >80% to act, <60% = do NOT recommend. - IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION check DRY via OOP, right responsibility layer, SOLID. Grep for dangling refs after moves.
- IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION run at least ONE graph command on key files when graph.db exists. Pattern: grep → trace → verify.
- MUST ATTENTION apply critical thinking — every claim needs traced proof, confidence >80% to act. Anti-hallucination: never present guess as fact.
- MUST ATTENTION apply AI mistake prevention — holistic-first debugging, fix at responsible layer, surface ambiguity before coding, re-read files after compaction.
[TASK-PLANNING] Before acting, analyze task scope and systematically break it into small todo tasks and sub-tasks using TaskCreate.