tidy-first

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.