safe-refactor
Restructure code while preserving behavior. Use for extraction, consolidation, ownership moves, or cleanup where verification must bracket structural edits.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/juliusbrussee/caveman --skill safe-refactor- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads safe-refactor automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
Security audits
Independent scans of the skill's instructions and bundled files.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Safe refactor
Define behavior-preservation boundary and establish verification before structural edits.
- Keep feature changes outside refactor.
- Move one ownership boundary at a time.
- Preserve public interfaces, failure behavior, ordering, and compatibility unless explicitly scoped.
- Keep intermediate states buildable and testable.
- Avoid dependency or configuration growth without correctness need.
Run same proof after change. Stop when behavior matches and requested structure is achieved.
FAQ
What does the safe-refactor skill do?
Restructure code while preserving behavior. Use for extraction, consolidation, ownership moves, or cleanup where verification must bracket structural edits.
How do I install safe-refactor?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/juliusbrussee/caveman --skill safe-refactor in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/safe-refactor/ (personal) or .claude/skills/safe-refactor/ (project).
Which AI agents can use safe-refactor?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is safe-refactor safe to install?
Security partners have reviewed it: Gen Agent Trust Hub passed; Socket passed; Snyk passed. As with any skill, read the SKILL.md and bundled scripts before installing.
Who maintains safe-refactor?
It is published by juliusbrussee in juliusbrussee/caveman. It has 107,589 recorded installs.
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