tidy-first

Separate code cleanup from feature development in pull requests.

Updated Aug 23, 2026

Search Tags:#best practices #refactoring #refactor #review #code cleanup #tidying

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npx skills add https://github.com/FScoward/senju --skill tidy-first-fscoward

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: tidy-first
Source: https://github.com/FScoward/senju/tree/main/skills/tidy-first
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/FScoward/senju --skill tidy-first-fscoward

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Developers often mix code refactoring or tidying with feature implementation, making code reviews confusing and error-prone.

Core Features & Use Cases

Clear separation of code cleanup from functionality changes
Ensures that tidying PRs do not alter program behavior
Use case: Break down a large, complex code cleanup into smaller, manageable PRs, facilitating easier reviews and safer deployments

Quick Start

When refactoring code, first create a tidying PR that only reorganizes or simplifies code without changing its behavior, then submit the feature-specific changes separately to ensure clarity and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions about tidy-first

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I separate code cleanup from feature changes for safer code reviews?▼

Separating code cleanup from feature changes involves creating distinct tidying PRs that only reorganize or simplify code without altering behavior, then submitting functionality changes separately. This ensures safer and more manageable software changes.

What is the best way to break down a large refactoring task into smaller PRs?▼

The best way to break down large refactoring is to apply systematic separation: submit a tidying PR that reorganizes or simplifies code without changing behavior first, then submit the feature-specific changes separately to ensure clarity and safety.

Why does mixing refactoring with feature development make code reviews error-prone?▼

Mixing refactoring with feature development makes reviews error-prone because reviewers cannot easily distinguish between structural reorganization and functional changes, obscuring the actual behavior modifications and increasing the risk of missing bugs.

How do I enforce that a tidying PR does not alter program behavior?▼

To enforce that a tidying PR does not alter program behavior, you apply strict validation using static analysis and thorough testing during the code cleanup process. This validation ensures no functional changes are introduced during tidying.

Can I use this tidying approach for complex code cleanup in a team environment?▼

Yes, you can use this approach for complex code cleanup in team environments. It is designed for software engineering teams aiming to improve code quality incrementally by breaking down complex refactoring into smaller, manageable PRs for easier reviews.

What are the limitations of separating code tidying from behavior changes?▼

A limitation of separating code tidying is that it requires strict validation through static analysis and thorough testing to ensure no behavioral changes occur, adding overhead to the development workflow if not properly managed.