grace-refactor

Refactor a GRACE project without letting architecture or verification drift.

When to Use

• rename a module, file, symbol, or path
• split one module into multiple modules
• merge tightly coupled modules
• extract helpers or adapters into a new module
• move code across layers while preserving behavior
• tighten an interface or dependency surface with explicit approval

Do not use this skill for greenfield implementation. Use $grace-plan, $grace-execute, or $grace-multiagent-execute for new work.

Prerequisites

• docs/development-plan.xml must exist
• docs/knowledge-graph.xml must exist
• docs/verification-plan.xml should exist
• if the refactor introduces new modules, removes modules, or changes contract behavior, stop and get explicit user approval before editing code
• if docs/operational-packets.xml exists, use its canonical packet and delta shapes

Core Principle

A GRACE refactor is not just a code move.

It is an atomic migration across:

• source files
• test files
• semantic markup
• docs/development-plan.xml
• docs/knowledge-graph.xml
• docs/verification-plan.xml

The refactor is not done until all six agree again.

Process

Step 1: Classify the Refactor

Identify the exact refactor type:

• rename
• move
• split
• merge
• extract
• interface-tighten
• path-only

For the requested change, capture:

• source module IDs and file paths
• target module IDs and file paths
• behavior that must remain invariant
• approved contract changes, if any
• likely graph and verification fallout

If the change affects behavior, public contracts, or architecture boundaries, present the planned deltas and wait for approval.

Step 2: Build a Refactor Packet

Before editing, prepare a controller-owned packet containing:

• refactor kind
• source scope
• target scope
• approved write scope
• invariants to preserve
• contract delta summary
• graph delta summary
• verification delta summary
• required local, integration, and follow-up checks

When docs/operational-packets.xml exists, align the packet, graph delta, verification delta, and failure handoff to those canonical templates.

Step 3: Apply the Smallest Safe Refactor

Work in the safest order for the refactor type.

Always:

• preserve or intentionally update MODULE_CONTRACT, MODULE_MAP, CHANGE_SUMMARY, function contracts, and semantic blocks
• keep imports aligned with approved dependencies
• preserve or update stable [Module][function][BLOCK_NAME] markers when critical branches move
• move module-local tests with the behavior they verify
• prefer atomic renames over long-lived mixed states

For split and merge refactors:

• keep ownership explicit for each resulting module
• update write scopes and test scopes accordingly
• do not leave half-migrated logic spread across modules silently

Shared-doc rule:

• keep shared docs focused on public module contracts and public interfaces
• let private helper reshaping stay local unless it changes the public boundary

Step 4: Synchronize Shared Artifacts

After the code refactor, update the shared artifacts in one coherent pass.

Update docs/development-plan.xml for:

• module IDs and names
• target source/test paths
• implementation order or ownership changes
• verification references

Update docs/knowledge-graph.xml for:

• module tags
• public annotations and public exports only
• CrossLinks
• verification refs

Update docs/verification-plan.xml for:

• V-M-xxx entries
• test file paths
• module-local commands
• required markers and trace assertions
• wave-level or phase-level follow-up checks

If IDs changed, update every reference atomically. Do not leave temporary stale IDs unless the user explicitly requires compatibility handling.

Step 5: Verify by Blast Radius

Run verification at the smallest level that still protects correctness:

• renamed or moved module-local checks first
• affected integration surfaces second
• broader phase checks when coupling changed materially

If the refactor causes failures, produce a structured failure handoff using the canonical FailurePacket shape when available.

Step 6: Review and Refresh

Before declaring success:

• run a scoped $grace-reviewer pass on the changed files and shared-artifact deltas
• run targeted $grace-refresh on the touched modules and dependency surfaces
• escalate to a full refresh or broader review if the refactor reveals wider drift

Rules

• Never silently invent new architecture during a refactor
• Never leave code and shared artifacts in different realities
• Prefer smaller, narratable migrations over giant rewrites
• Keep compatibility shims only when there is a concrete requirement
• If the refactor reveals weak tests or weak logs, strengthen verification before calling it complete

Deliverables

1. refactor kind and affected scope
2. files changed
3. graph delta proposal
4. verification delta proposal
5. verification evidence
6. remaining risks or follow-up checks