github/awesome-copilot · Official

refactor-plan

Create a concrete plan before starting a multi-file refactor. Use when the user asks to plan, sequence, scope, or safely execute a refactor across multiple files; always investigate first, output the plan, and wait for confirmation before making code changes.

All-time #1270 Trending #8209 Hot #553 First seen Feb 25, 2026
8-week activity · all time api

Installation

$ npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill refactor-plan

Summary

  • Detailed multi-file refactor planning with safety checks and rollback guidance.
  • Investigates codebase structure, dependencies, and coupling before proposing changes; never edits files during planning Sequences changes safely: types and interfaces first, then implementations, then callers, then tests, then cleanup Includes verification steps between phases, rollback procedures for risky changes, and final validation commands Outputs structured plan with affected files, execution phases, and explicit confirmation gates before implementation begins

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More details

Agent compatibility

Declared targets from SKILL.md / docs. Unmarked agents are not listed — the skill may still install via the CLI.

Claude Code Not declared
Cursor Not declared
Codex Not declared
GitHub Copilot Declared
Windsurf Not declared
Gemini CLI Not declared
Cline Not declared
OpenCode Not declared

Repository health

Stars 38.8K
License LICENSE
Default branch main
Open issues 21
Status Active

Skill metadata

Parsed from SKILL.md frontmatter.

Declared agents github-copilot

Package contents

Files included with this skill beyond the listing page.

  • skill md SKILL.md 2,289 B
  • docs SUMMARY.md 280 B

History

  1. First seen on skills.sh
  2. First recorded snapshot · 12,900 installs

SKILL.md

Refactor Plan

Create a detailed plan before making any code changes.

Instructions

  1. Do not edit files while preparing the plan.
  2. Search the codebase to understand the current state. Read enough implementation, tests, configuration, and docs to make the plan specific to the repository.
  3. Identify affected files, ownership boundaries, dependencies, and likely hidden coupling.
  4. Plan changes in a safe sequence. Prefer contracts and types first, then implementations, then callers, then tests, then cleanup.
  5. Include verification steps between phases and a final validation command.
  6. Include rollback or recovery steps for the riskiest phases.
  7. Output the complete plan using the format below.
  8. Stop after the plan and ask for confirmation before implementing. If the user already asked you to implement, still produce the plan first and wait for confirmation unless they explicitly said to continue without review after the plan.

If the request is too ambiguous to plan safely, ask concise clarifying questions instead of editing files.

Output Format

## Refactor Plan: [title]

### Current State
[Brief description of how things work now]

### Target State
[Brief description of how things will work after]

### Affected Files
| File | Change Type | Dependencies |
|------|-------------|--------------|
| path | modify/create/delete | blocks X, blocked by Y |

### Execution Plan

#### Phase 1: Types and Interfaces
- [ ] Step 1.1: [action] in `file.ts`
- [ ] Verify: [how to check it worked]

#### Phase 2: Implementation
- [ ] Step 2.1: [action] in `file.ts`
- [ ] Verify: [how to check]

#### Phase 3: Tests
- [ ] Step 3.1: Update tests in `file.test.ts`
- [ ] Verify: Run `npm test`

#### Phase 4: Cleanup
- [ ] Remove deprecated code
- [ ] Update documentation

### Rollback Plan
If something fails:
1. [Step to undo]
2. [Step to undo]

### Risks
- [Potential issue and mitigation]

After the plan, ask: "Shall I proceed with Phase 1?"