Workflow · AI agent refactoring workflow
AI agent refactoring workflow
Use an AI coding agent for refactors without mixing behavior changes, style churn and architecture drift.
Quick answer
A safe AI refactor has one goal, a small file set, a before behavior check and a narrow verification command after the edit.
Workflow
Ask the agent to map dependencies, isolate the behavior to preserve, make the smallest structural change and run the check that proves behavior did not move.
Risk check
Do not combine a refactor with product changes unless the behavior change is explicit and separately verified.
FAQ
Should AI agents format unrelated files during refactors?
No. Formatting should stay scoped to touched files unless the task is explicitly a formatting migration.