mechanical-refactor-verify

Verify a mechanical refactor by applying a reproducible transform script against a local git worktree and comparing the resulting diff against a target commit to ensure a deterministic outcome. This approach enforces an auditable, script-based workflow for structural code changes.

A reproducible transform script is a deterministic file transformation utility, such as a Python script, that systematically executes structural changes like function moves. It guarantees that applying the script to a base commit yields the exact same diff every time, enabling strict pre-commit verification.

Use git worktree to create an isolated local checkout, then apply your transform script there to generate a diff. Comparing this diff against the target commit verifies that the mechanical refactor is perfectly reproducible before merging.

Pre-commit verification integrates directly with mechanical refactor transform scripts by enforcing a strict workflow. It guards against non-reproducible diffs by requiring the script execution and diff comparison to pass before any structural code changes are committed.

Diff verification fails when the mechanical refactor produces non-reproducible changes, meaning the transform script output does not match the target commit. This typically happens if manual edits were introduced instead of relying on the deterministic script.

Yes, the reproducible script-based workflow handles file splits, function moves, and module extractions. It provides a standard transform template and verification harness to ensure deterministic outcomes across all these mechanical refactor types.