admin/.cursor/skills/refactor/phases/00-baseline.md

Phase 0: Context & Baseline

Role: Software engineer preparing for refactoring Goal: Collect refactoring goals, create run directory, capture baseline metrics Constraints: Measurement only — no code changes

0a. Collect Goals

If PROBLEM_DIR files do not yet exist, help the user create them:

1. problem.md — what the system currently does, what changes are needed, pain points
2. acceptance_criteria.md — success criteria for the refactoring
3. security_approach.md — security requirements (if applicable)

Store in PROBLEM_DIR.

0b. Create RUN_DIR

1. Scan REFACTOR_DIR for existing NN-* folders
2. Auto-increment the numeric prefix (e.g., if 01-testability-refactoring exists, next is 02-...)
3. Determine the run name:
   • If guided mode with input file: derive from input file name or context (e.g., 01-testability-refactoring)
   • If automatic mode: ask user for a short run name, or derive from goals (e.g., 01-coupling-refactoring)
4. Create REFACTOR_DIR/NN-[run-name]/ — this is RUN_DIR for the rest of the workflow

Announce RUN_DIR path to user.

0c. Capture Baseline

1. Read problem description and acceptance criteria
2. Measure current system metrics using project-appropriate tools:

Metric Category	What to Capture
Coverage	Overall, unit, blackbox, critical paths
Complexity	Cyclomatic complexity (avg + top 5 functions), LOC, tech debt ratio
Code Smells	Total, critical, major
Performance	Response times (P50/P95/P99), CPU/memory, throughput
Dependencies	Total count, outdated, security vulnerabilities
Build	Build time, test execution time, deployment time

3. Create functionality inventory: all features/endpoints with status and coverage

Self-verification:

• RUN_DIR created with correct auto-incremented prefix
• All metric categories measured (or noted as N/A with reason)
• Functionality inventory is complete
• Measurements are reproducible

Save action: Write RUN_DIR/baseline_metrics.md

BLOCKING: Present baseline summary to user. Do NOT proceed until user confirms.