implementation-strategy

To plan API changes without breaking compatibility, evaluate the runtime and API surfaces against the latest release boundaries before editing code. This process determines whether shims, migrations, or direct rewrites are needed to preserve released contracts.

You need to use shims when preserving externally visible behavior across a released contract boundary, whereas a direct rewrite is appropriate for internal surface changes with no external impact. Assessing release boundaries determines the correct approach.

The best way to minimize code churn during a refactor is to determine compatibility boundaries beforehand and apply a rule set to assess surface changes. This yields a concrete plan that minimizes churn while preserving released contracts.

To manage schema and test migrations for versioning updates, apply a compatibility rule set across APIs, docs, tests, and schemas. This assesses release boundaries and outputs a concrete plan recommending shims or migrations where appropriate.

Yes, you can assess runtime compatibility boundaries before modifying code. By evaluating surface changes and release boundaries upfront, you can determine whether direct edits or migrations are appropriate without risking externally visible behavior.

Yes, this approach works for both API and documentation updates. It applies a compatibility rule set across APIs, docs, tests, and schemas to evaluate surfaces and output a minimal-impact implementation plan tailored to the task.