Skills Development Working Effectively with Legacy Code

Working Effectively with Legacy Code

v20260910
working-effectively-with-legacy-code
Apply Michael Feathers-inspired rules to safely modify hard-to-test legacy code using characterization tests, seams, sprout methods, or wrap methods. Ideal for risky changes, missing tests, dependency breaking, and incremental risk reduction in software maintenance.
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Overview

Working Effectively with Legacy Code Skill

Use this skill when a task involves risky legacy changes, missing tests, characterization tests, seams, dependency breaking, sprout method, wrap method, or incremental risk reduction.

Before making design or code decisions, read and apply working-effectively-with-legacy-code.mini.md. Use working-effectively-with-legacy-code.md only as a deeper reference when the mini rules are not enough for the current legacy-code tradeoff.

Info
Category Development
Name working-effectively-with-legacy-code
Version v20260910
Size 9.74KB
Updated At 2026-09-12
Language