Ask Autohand Code to isolate the behavior contract, write focused checks, make the refactor, and report the diff.
Change structure without changing behavior
Refactoring Build and change Implementation Code
autohand -p "Refactor this module for clarity, preserve behavior, and run the narrowest useful tests"
A smaller module, clearer boundaries, and a validation summary.
Refactor a module safely with Autohand Code is a code-change workflow that captures current behavior, adds focused checks when needed, improves structure, and verifies that outputs stay stable. ### At a glance | Question | Answer | | --- | --- | | Best for | cleaning tangled modules, reducing duplication, or isolating responsibilities without changing public behavior | | Primary inputs | Target file, package, class, or function; Behavior that must stay unchanged; Preferred shape such as clearer names, smaller functions, or dependency isolation | | Autohand Code returns | A smaller module, clearer boundaries, and a validation summary. | | Avoid when | the desired change is a new feature or API behavior change disguised as cleanup | ### How Autohand Code handles this workflow 1. Inspects callers, tests, exports, and runtime contracts before editing. 2. Adds or updates narrow checks when behavior is not already protected. 3. Refactors in small passes and avoids unrelated formatting churn. 4. Runs the focused validation and reports any remaining behavior risk. ### Best inputs - Target file, package, class, or function - Behavior that must stay unchanged - Preferred shape such as clearer names, smaller functions, or dependency isolation ### Strong prompt autohand -p "Refactor this module for clarity, preserve behavior, and run the narrowest useful tests" ### Autohand Code CLI options - Run `autohand -p "Refactor this module for clarity..."` for a scoped change in command mode. - Use `autohand --auto-mode "Refactor this module and rerun focused tests" --max-iterations 10 --checkpoint-interval 2` when the refactor may need several passes. - Use `--patch` or `--dry-run` when reviewers need to inspect the proposed diff before it is applied. ### Review before accepting A safe refactor has a small diff, unchanged outputs, focused tests, and a summary of every behavior-preserving move. ### Source and validation signals Autohand AI maintains this workflow as first-party product guidance for Autohand Code. Use the [Autohand CLI Playbook](https://github.com/autohandai/code-cli/blob/main/docs/AUTOHAND_PLAYBOOK.md), [CLI reference](/docs/working-with-autohand-code/cli-reference.html), and [configuration reference](https://github.com/autohandai/code-cli/blob/main/docs/config-reference.md) when choosing between interactive mode, command mode, auto-mode, feature-enabled /goal, /settings, skills, MCP, and permission settings. The related resources below link to product docs and tutorials for the workflow, and the final answer should name repository-specific files, commands, outputs, or docs that a reviewer can verify. ### Frequently asked questions ### What is Refactor a module safely with Autohand Code? Refactor a module safely with Autohand Code is a code-change workflow that captures current behavior, adds focused checks when needed, improves structure, and verifies that outputs stay stable. ### When should a team use Refactor a module safely? Use it when the code works but reviewability, naming, or boundaries make future changes risky. ### What evidence should reviewers check for Refactor a module safely? A safe refactor has a small diff, unchanged outputs, focused tests, and a summary of every behavior-preserving move.
Guide Code Refactoring with Autohand Refactor around current behavior, focused tests, and small diffs. /docs/guides/code-refactoring.html Guide Automated Refactoring Patterns Find cleanup targets without turning a refactor into a rewrite. /docs/guides/technical-debt.html Tutorial Refactor Legacy jQuery to Modern Framework A step-by-step example of preserving behavior while changing structure. /docs/tutorials/refactor-jquery-to-modern.html