What to do
Refactor with AI in small, behavior-preserving steps. Establish tests and invariants first, separate structural changes from feature changes, and verify each commit before continuing.
Define the invariant
Write what must not change: public APIs, database effects, error semantics, performance bounds, serialized formats, or user-visible behavior. Add characterization tests around risky legacy behavior before editing.
Sequence reversible steps
Ask for a plan whose intermediate states build and test. Move or rename one concept at a time. Avoid combining formatting, dependency upgrades, new behavior, and architecture changes in one generated patch.
Review structure and behavior
Inspect the diff for hidden semantic changes, deleted edge cases, broadened types, and altered error handling. Run targeted, integration, and performance checks appropriate to the risk.
- Keep commits narrow.
- Prefer mechanical transformations first.
- Measure before claiming performance improvement.
- Stop when the next step needs a design decision.
Practical checklist
Continue researching
This guide is an editorial framework, not a product endorsement. Recheck vendor documentation and your organization's requirements before making a purchasing or security decision.