Agent skill · software engineering · aiskillstore
request-refactor-plan
Create a detailed refactor plan with tiny commits via user interview, then file it as a GitHub issue. Use when user wants to plan a refactor, create a refactoring RFC, or break a refactor into safe incremental steps.
Why this skill is useful
Adds a structured refactor planning process and GitHub issue template that the AI wouldn't generate on its own.
What it needs
About 2k tokens when loaded. Last updated 2026-08-07. 405 stars on the source repository.
What this skill does
This skill will be invoked when the user wants to create a refactor request. You should go through the steps below. You may skip steps if you don't consider them necessary. 1. Ask the user for a long, detailed description of the problem they want to solve and any potential ideas for solutions. 2. Explore the repo to verify their assertions and understand the current state of the codebase. 3. Ask whether they have considered other options, and present other options to them. 4. Interview the user about the implementation. Be extremely detailed and thorough. 5. Hammer out the exact scope of the implementation. Work out what you plan to change and what you plan not to change. 6. Look in the codebase to check for test coverage of this area of the codebase. If there is insufficient test coverage, ask the user what their plans for testing are. 7. Break the implementation into a plan of tiny commits. Remember Martin Fowler's advice to "make each refactoring step as small as possible, so that you can always see the program working." 8. Create a GitHub issue with the refactor plan. Use the following template for the issue description: <refactor-plan-template> Problem Statement The problem that the developer is facing, from the developer's perspective. Solution The solution to the problem, from the developer's perspective. Commits A LONG, detailed implementation plan. Write the plan in plain English, breaking down the implementation into the tiniest commits possible. Each commit should leave the codebase in a working state. Decision Document A list of implementation decisions that were made. This can include: The modules that will be built/modified The interfaces of those modules that will be modified Technical clarifications from the developer Architectural decisions Schema changes API contracts Specific interactions Do NOT include specific file paths or code snippets. They may end up being outdated very quickly. Testing Decisions A list of testing decisions that were made. …
How to use it
Reference it in AdaL, Claude Code, Cursor or any coding agent — nothing to install:
@skills aiskillstore/request-refactor-plan