clean-architecture

Enforce clean architecture boundaries during refactoring by identifying entities, use cases, and interface adapters, then mapping dependencies to align with the correct dependency direction. This reduces coupling and keeps infrastructure on the outer edges.

Clean architecture is a design approach that separates software into entities, use cases, interface adapters, and infrastructure layers. You need it when messy code structure reduces maintainability, testability, and scalability, requiring clear separation of concerns.

Fix cyclic dependencies and incorrect dependency direction by reorganizing layers to ensure dependencies point inward toward use cases and entities. Applying clean architecture principles prevents inward-only dependencies and keeps business rules decoupled from infrastructure.

Clean architecture principles are applicable during architecture reviews and system redesign. They provide decision criteria and reference patterns to evaluate layer boundaries, enforce use-case driven design, and reorganize legacy code toward a cleaner structure.

Start applying layered design by identifying current layers, defining boundaries between entities and infrastructure, and mapping existing dependencies. Align these dependencies with clean architecture guidelines to achieve a use-case driven structure.

Code structure suffers from high coupling and low testability when layer boundaries are unclear and dependencies point inward. Without clean architecture principles, business rules become entangled with infrastructure, reducing overall system maintainability.