Typed Holes Refactoring

Systematically refactor codebases using the Design by Typed Holes meta-framework: treat architectural unknowns as typed holes, resolve them iteratively with test-driven validation, and propagate constraints through dependency graphs.

Core Workflow

Phase 0: Hole Discovery & Setup

1. Create safe working branch:

git checkout -b refactor/typed-holes-v1
# CRITICAL: Never work in main, never touch .beads/ in main

2. Analyze current state and identify holes:

python scripts/discover_holes.py
# Creates REFACTOR_IR.md with hole catalog

The Refactor IR documents:

• Current State Holes: What's unknown about the current system?
• Refactor Holes: What needs resolution to reach the ideal state?
• Constraints: What must be preserved/improved/maintained?
• Dependencies: Which holes block which others?

3. Write baseline characterization tests:

Create

tests/characterization/

# tests/characterization/test_current_behavior.py
def test_api_contracts():
    """All public APIs must behave identically post-refactor"""
    for endpoint in discover_public_apis():
        old_result = run_current(endpoint, test_inputs)
        save_baseline(endpoint, old_result)

def test_performance_baselines():
    """Record current performance - don't regress"""
    baselines = measure_all_operations()
    save_json("baselines.json", baselines)

Run tests on main branch - they should all pass. These are your safety net.

Phase 1-N: Iterative Hole Resolution

For each hole (in dependency order):

1. Select next ready hole:

python scripts/next_hole.py
# Shows holes whose dependencies are resolved

2. Write validation tests FIRST (test-driven):

# tests/refactor/test_h{N}_resolution.py
def test_h{N}_resolved():
    """Define what 'resolved correctly' means"""
    # This should FAIL initially
    assert desired_state_achieved()

def test_h{N}_equivalence():
    """Ensure no behavioral regressions"""
    old_behavior = load_baseline()
    new_behavior = run_refactored()
    assert old_behavior == new_behavior

3. Implement resolution:

• Refactor code to make tests pass
• Keep characterization tests passing
• Commit incrementally with clear messages

4. Validate resolution:

python scripts/validate_resolution.py H{N}
# Checks: tests pass, constraints satisfied, main untouched

5. Propagate constraints:

python scripts/propagate.py H{N}
# Updates dependent holes based on resolution

6. Document and commit:

git add .
git commit -m "Resolve H{N}: {description}

- Tests: tests/refactor/test_h{N}_*.py pass
- Constraints: {constraints satisfied}
- Propagates to: {dependent holes}"

Phase Final: Reporting

Generate comprehensive delta report:

python scripts/generate_report.py > REFACTOR_REPORT.md

Report includes:

• Hole resolution summary with validation evidence
• Metrics delta (LOC, complexity, coverage, performance)
• Behavioral analysis (intentional changes documented)
• Constraint validation (all satisfied)
• Risk assessment and migration guide

Key Principles

1. Test-Driven Everything

• Write validation criteria BEFORE implementing
• Tests define "correct resolution"
• Characterization tests are sacred - never let them fail

2. Hole-Driven Progress

• Resolve holes in dependency order
• Each resolution propagates constraints
• Track everything formally in Refactor IR

3. Continuous Validation

Every commit must validate:

• ✅ Characterization tests pass (behavior preserved)
• ✅ Resolution tests pass (hole resolved correctly)
• ✅ Constraints satisfied
• ✅ Main branch untouched
• ✅

  .beads/

  intact in main

4. Safe by Construction

• Work only in refactor branch
• Main is read-only reference
• Beads are untouchable historical artifacts

5. Formal Completeness

Design complete when:

• All holes resolved and validated
• All constraints satisfied
• All phase gates passed
• Metrics improved or maintained

Hole Quality Framework

SMART Criteria for Good Holes

Every hole must be:

• Specific: Clear, bounded question with concrete answer

  • ✓ Good: "How should error handling work in the API layer?"
  • ✗ Bad: "How to improve the code?"

• Measurable: Has testable validation criteria

  • ✓ Good: "Reduce duplication from 60% to <15%"
  • ✗ Bad: "Make code better"

• Achievable: Can be resolved with available information

  • ✓ Good: "Extract parsing logic to separate module"
  • ✗ Bad: "Predict all future requirements"

• Relevant: Blocks meaningful progress on refactoring

  • ✓ Good: "Define core interface (blocks 5 other holes)"
  • ✗ Bad: "Decide variable naming convention"

• Typed: Clear type/structure for resolution

  • ✓ Good:

    interface Architecture = { layers: Layer[], rules: Rule[] }

  • ✗ Bad: "Some kind of structure?"

Hole Estimation Framework

Size holes using these categories:

Estimation Red Flags:

• More than 3 dependencies → Likely Medium+
• Unclear validation → Add time for discovery
• New patterns/tools → Add learning overhead

Hole Splitting Guidelines

Split a hole when:

1. Estimate exceeds 7 days
2. More than 5 dependencies
3. Validation criteria unclear
4. Multiple distinct concerns mixed

Splitting strategy:

Epic hole: "Refactor entire authentication system"
→ Split into:
  R10_auth_interface: Define new auth interface (Medium)
  R11_token_handling: Implement JWT tokens (Small)
  R12_session_management: Refactor sessions (Medium)
  R13_auth_middleware: Update middleware (Small)
  R14_auth_testing: Comprehensive test suite (Medium)

After splitting:

• Update dependencies in REFACTOR_IR.md
• Run

  python scripts/propagate.py

  to update graph
• Re-sync with beads:

  python scripts/holes_to_beads.py

Common Hole Types

Architecture Holes

"?R1_target_architecture": "What should the ideal structure be?"
"?R2_module_boundaries": "How should modules be organized?"
"?R3_abstraction_layers": "What layers/interfaces are needed?"

Validation: Architecture tests, dependency analysis, layer violation checks

Implementation Holes

"?R4_consolidation_targets": "What code should merge?"
"?R5_extraction_targets": "What code should split out?"
"?R6_elimination_targets": "What code should be removed?"

Validation: Duplication detection, equivalence tests, dead code analysis

Quality Holes

"?R7_test_strategy": "How to validate equivalence?"
"?R8_migration_path": "How to safely transition?"
"?R9_rollback_mechanism": "How to undo if needed?"

Validation: Test coverage metrics, migration dry-runs, rollback tests

See HOLE_TYPES.md for complete catalog.

Constraint Propagation Rules

Rule 1: Interface Resolution → Type Constraints

When: Interface hole resolved with concrete types
Then: Propagate type requirements to all consumers

Example:
  Resolve R6: NodeInterface = BaseNode with async run()
  Propagates to:
    → R4: Parallel execution must handle async
    → R5: Error recovery must handle async exceptions

Rule 2: Implementation → Performance Constraints

When: Implementation resolved with resource usage
Then: Propagate limits to dependent holes

Example:
  Resolve R4: Parallelization with max_concurrent=3
  Propagates to:
    → R8: Rate limit = provider_limit / 3
    → R7: Memory budget = 3 * single_operation_memory

Rule 3: Validation → Test Requirements

When: Validation resolved with test requirements
Then: Propagate data needs upstream

Example:
  Resolve R9: Testing needs 50 examples
  Propagates to:
    → R7: Metrics must support batch evaluation
    → R8: Test data collection strategy needed

See CONSTRAINT_RULES.md for complete propagation rules.

Success Indicators

Weekly Progress

• 2-4 holes resolved
• All tests passing
• Constraints satisfied
• Measurable improvements

Red Flags (Stop & Reassess)

• ❌ Characterization tests fail
• ❌ Hole can't be resolved within constraints
• ❌ Constraints contradict each other
• ❌ No progress for 3+ days
• ❌ Main branch accidentally modified

Validation Gates

python scripts/check_discovery.py

python scripts/check_foundation.py

python scripts/check_implementation.py

python scripts/check_production.py

Claude-Assisted Workflow

This skill is designed for effective Claude/LLM collaboration. Here's how to divide work:

Phase 0: Discovery

Claude's Role:

• Run

  discover_holes.py

  to analyze codebase
• Suggest holes based on code analysis
• Generate initial REFACTOR_IR.md structure
• Write characterization tests to capture current behavior
• Set up test infrastructure

Your Role:

• Confirm holes are well-scoped
• Prioritize which holes to tackle first
• Review and approve REFACTOR_IR.md
• Define critical constraints

Phase 1-N: Hole Resolution

Claude's Role:

• Write resolution tests (TDD) BEFORE implementation
• Implement hole resolution to make tests pass
• Run validation scripts:

  validate_resolution.py

  ,

  check_foundation.py

• Update REFACTOR_IR.md with resolution details
• Propagate constraints:

  python scripts/propagate.py H{N}

• Generate commit messages documenting changes

Your Role:

• Make architecture decisions (which pattern, which approach)
• Assess risk and determine constraint priorities
• Review code changes for correctness
• Approve merge to main when complete

Phase Final: Reporting

Claude's Role:

• Generate comprehensive REFACTOR_REPORT.md
• Document all metrics deltas
• List all validation evidence
• Create migration guides
• Prepare PR description

Your Role:

• Final review of report accuracy
• Approve for production deployment
• Conduct post-refactor retrospective

Effective Prompting Patterns

Starting a session:

"I need to refactor [description]. Use typed-holes-refactor skill.
Start with discovery phase."

Resolving a hole:

"Resolve H3 (target_architecture). Write tests first, then implement.
Use [specific pattern/approach]."

Checking progress:

"Run check_completeness.py and show me the dashboard.
What's ready to work on next?"

Generating visualizations:

"Generate dependency graph showing bottlenecks and critical path.
Use visualize_graph.py with --analyze."

Claude's Limitations

Claude CANNOT:

• Make subjective architecture decisions (you must decide)
• Determine business-critical constraints (you must specify)
• Run tests that require external services (mock or you run them)
• Merge to main (you must approve and merge)

Claude CAN:

• Analyze code and suggest holes
• Write comprehensive test suites
• Implement resolutions within your constraints
• Generate reports and documentation
• Track progress across sessions (via beads + REFACTOR_IR.md)

Multi-Session Continuity

At session start:

"Continue typed-holes refactoring. Import beads state and
show current status from REFACTOR_IR.md."

Claude will:

• Read REFACTOR_IR.md to understand current state
• Check which holes are resolved
• Identify next ready holes
• Resume where previous session left off

You should:

• Keep REFACTOR_IR.md and .beads/ committed to git
• Export beads state at session end:

  bd export -o .beads/issues.jsonl

• Use /context before starting to ensure Claude has full context

Beads Integration

Why beads + typed holes?

• Beads tracks issues across sessions (prevents lost work)
• Holes track refactoring-specific state (dependencies, constraints)
• Together: Complete continuity for long-running refactors

Setup

# Install beads (once)
go install github.com/steveyegge/beads/cmd/bd@latest

# After running discover_holes.py
python scripts/holes_to_beads.py

# Check what's ready
bd ready --json

Workflow Integration

During hole resolution:

# Start work on a hole
bd update bd-5 --status in_progress --json

# Implement resolution
# ... write tests, implement code ...

# Validate resolution
python scripts/validate_resolution.py H3

# Close bead
bd close bd-5 --reason "Resolved H3: target_architecture" --json

# Export state
bd export -o .beads/issues.jsonl
git add .beads/issues.jsonl REFACTOR_IR.md
git commit -m "Resolve H3: Define target architecture"

Syncing holes ↔ beads:

# After updating REFACTOR_IR.md manually
python scripts/holes_to_beads.py  # Sync changes to beads

# After resolving holes
python scripts/holes_to_beads.py  # Update bead statuses

Cross-session continuity:

# Session start
bd import -i .beads/issues.jsonl
bd ready --json  # Shows ready holes
python scripts/check_completeness.py  # Shows overall progress

# Session end
bd export -o .beads/issues.jsonl
git add .beads/issues.jsonl
git commit -m "Session checkpoint: 3 holes resolved"

Bead advantages:

• Tracks work across days/weeks
• Shows dependency graph:

  bd deps bd-5

• Prevents context loss
• Integrates with overall project management

Scripts Reference

All scripts are in

scripts/

• discover_holes.py

  - Analyze codebase and generate REFACTOR_IR.md

• next_hole.py

  - Show next resolvable holes based on dependencies

• validate_resolution.py

  - Check if hole resolution satisfies constraints

• propagate.py

  - Update dependent holes after resolution

• generate_report.py

  - Create comprehensive delta report

• check_discovery.py

  - Validate Phase 0 completeness (Gate 1)

• check_foundation.py

  - Validate Phase 1 completeness (Gate 2)

• check_implementation.py

  - Validate Phase 2 completeness (Gate 3)

• check_production.py

  - Validate Phase 3 readiness (Gate 4)

• check_completeness.py

  - Overall progress dashboard

• visualize_graph.py

  - Generate hole dependency visualization

• holes_to_beads.py

  - Sync holes with beads issues

Run any script with

--help

Meta-Consistency

This skill uses its own principles:

We use the system to refactor the system.

Advanced Topics

For complex scenarios, see:

• HOLE_TYPES.md - Detailed hole taxonomy
• CONSTRAINT_RULES.md - Complete propagation rules
• VALIDATION_PATTERNS.md - Test patterns for different hole types
• EXAMPLES.md - Complete worked examples

Quick Start Example

# 1. Setup
git checkout -b refactor/typed-holes-v1
python scripts/discover_holes.py

# 2. Write baseline tests
# Create tests/characterization/test_*.py

# 3. Resolve first hole
python scripts/next_hole.py  # Shows H1 is ready
# Write tests/refactor/test_h1_*.py (fails initially)
# Refactor code until tests pass
python scripts/validate_resolution.py H1
python scripts/propagate.py H1
git commit -m "Resolve H1: ..."

# 4. Repeat for each hole
# ...

# 5. Generate report
python scripts/generate_report.py > REFACTOR_REPORT.md

Troubleshooting

Characterization tests fail

Symptom: Tests that captured baseline behavior now fail

Resolution:

1. Revert changes:

   git diff

   to see what changed
2. Investigate: What behavior changed and why?
3. Decision tree:
   • Intentional change: Update baselines with documentation

     # Update baseline with reason
     save_baseline("v2_api", new_behavior,
                   reason="Switched to async implementation")
     

   • Unintentional regression: Fix the code, tests must pass

Prevention: Run characterization tests before AND after each hole resolution.

Hole can't be resolved

Symptom: Stuck on a hole for >3 days, unclear how to proceed

Resolution:

1. Check dependencies: Are they actually resolved?

   python scripts/visualize_graph.py --analyze
   # Look for unresolved dependencies
   

2. Review constraints: Are they contradictory?

   • Example: C1 "preserve all behavior" + C5 "change API contract" → Contradictory
   • Fix: Renegotiate constraints with stakeholders

3. Split the hole: If hole is too large

   # Original: R4_consolidate_all (Epic, 10+ days)
   # Split into:
   R4a_consolidate_parsers (Medium, 2 days)
   R4b_consolidate_validators (Small, 1 day)
   R4c_consolidate_handlers (Medium, 2 days)
   

4. Check for circular dependencies:

   python scripts/visualize_graph.py
   # Look for cycles: R4 → R5 → R6 → R4
   

   • Fix: Break cycle by introducing intermediate hole or redefining dependencies

Escalation: If still stuck after 5 days, consider alternative refactoring approach.

Contradictory Constraints

Symptom: Cannot satisfy all constraints simultaneously

Example:

• C1: "Preserve exact current behavior" (backward compatibility)
• C5: "Reduce response time by 50%" (performance improvement)
• Current behavior includes slow, synchronous operations

Resolution Framework:

1. Identify the conflict:

   C1 requires: Keep synchronous operations
   C5 requires: Switch to async operations
   → Contradiction: Can't be both sync and async
   

2. Negotiate priorities:

   Option	C1	C5	Tradeoff
   A: Keep sync	✓	✗	No performance gain
   B: Switch to async	✗	✓	Breaking change
   C: Add async, deprecate sync	⚠️	✓	Migration burden

3. Choose resolution strategy:

   • Relax constraint: Change C1 to "Preserve behavior where possible"
   • Add migration period: C implemented over 2 releases
   • Split into phases: Phase 1 (C1), Phase 2 (C5)

4. Document decision:

   ## Constraint Resolution: C1 vs C5
   
   **Decision**: Relax C1 to allow async migration
   **Rationale**: Performance critical for user experience
   **Migration**: 3-month deprecation period for sync API
   **Approved by**: [Stakeholder], [Date]
   

Circular Dependencies

Symptom:

visualize_graph.py

Example:

R4 (consolidate parsers) → depends on R6 (define interface)
R6 (define interface) → depends on R4 (needs parser examples)

Resolution strategies:

1. Introduce intermediate hole:

   H0_parser_analysis: Analyze existing parsers (no dependencies)
   R6_interface: Define interface using H0 analysis
   R4_consolidate: Implement using R6 interface
   

2. Redefine dependencies:

   • Maybe R4 doesn't actually need R6
   • Or R6 only needs partial R4 (split R4)

3. Accept iterative refinement:

   R6_interface_v1: Initial interface (simple)
   R4_consolidate: Implement with v1 interface
   R6_interface_v2: Refine based on R4 learnings
   

Prevention: Define architecture holes before implementation holes.

No Progress for 3+ Days

Symptom: Feeling stuck, no commits, uncertain how to proceed

Resolution checklist:

• Review REFACTOR_IR.md: Are holes well-defined (SMART criteria)?

  • If not: Rewrite holes to be more specific

• Check hole size: Is current hole >7 days estimate?

  • If yes: Split into smaller holes

• Run dashboard:

  python scripts/check_completeness.py

  • Are you working on a blocked hole?
  • Switch to a ready hole instead

• Visualize dependencies:

  python scripts/visualize_graph.py --analyze

  • Identify bottlenecks
  • Look for parallel work opportunities

• Review constraints: Are they achievable?

  • Renegotiate if necessary

• Seek external review:

  • Share REFACTOR_IR.md with colleague
  • Get feedback on approach

• Consider alternative: Maybe this refactor isn't feasible

  • Document why
  • Propose different approach

Reset protocol: If still stuck, revert to last working state and try different approach.

Estimation Failures

Symptom: Hole taking 3x longer than estimated

Analysis:

1. Why did estimate fail?

   • Underestimated complexity
   • Unforeseen dependencies
   • Unclear requirements
   • Technical issues (tool problems, infrastructure)

2. Immediate actions:

   • Update REFACTOR_IR.md with revised estimate
   • If >7 days, split the hole
   • Update beads:

     bd update bd-5 --note "Revised estimate: 5 days (was 2)"

3. Future improvements:

   • Use actual times to calibrate future estimates
   • Add buffer for discovery (20% overhead)
   • Note uncertainty in IR: "Estimate: 2-4 days (high uncertainty)"

Learning: Track actual vs estimated time in REFACTOR_REPORT.md for future reference.

Begin with Phase 0: Discovery. Always work in a branch. Test first, refactor second.