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Refactor

Refactor is an agent skill (a SKILL.md file) from github/awesome-copilot. Surgical code refactoring to improve maintainability without changing behavior. It works with Claude Code and GitHub Copilot and has 39,749 GitHub stars across a repository of 7 listed skills. Install it by copying the skill folder into your agent's skills directory.

github.com/github/awesome-copilot/skills/refactor (opens in a new tab)

  • Official
  • Multi-skill repo
  • Coding
  • Actively maintained
View on GitHub (opens in a new tab)View on skills.sh (opens in a new tab)

Add this skill

Claude

Claude Code loads skills from ~/.claude/skills/ (all projects) or .claude/skills/ (one project):

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot.git
cp -r awesome-copilot/skills/refactor ~/.claude/skills/refactor   # personal, or .claude/skills in a project

In the Claude apps, zip the refactor folder and upload it under Customize > Skills > + > Upload a skill (code execution must be on).

ChatGPT / Codex

Codex reads skills from .agents/skills/ in a repo or ~/.agents/skills/ for every project:

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot.git
cp -r awesome-copilot/skills/refactor .agents/skills/refactor   # repo; ~/.agents/skills for all projects

Standalone skills also load in the ChatGPT desktop app.

Cursor

Cursor loads skills from .cursor/skills/ (or ~/.cursor/skills/) and also reads .claude/skills/:

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot.git
cp -r awesome-copilot/skills/refactor .cursor/skills/refactor   # project; ~/.cursor/skills for all projects

Source (checked Oct 7, 2026): code.claude.com/docs/en/skills (opens in a new tab), support.claude.com/en/articles/12512180-using-skills-in-claude (opens in a new tab), learn.chatgpt.com/docs/build-skills (opens in a new tab), cursor.com/docs/context/skills (opens in a new tab)

What this skill does

Surgical code refactoring to improve maintainability without changing behavior. Covers extracting functions, renaming variables, breaking down god functions, improving type safety, eliminating code smells, and applying design patterns. Less drastic than repo-rebuilder; use for gradual improvements. Improve code structure and readability without changing external behavior. Refactoring is gradual evolution, not revolution. Use this for improving existing code, not rewriting from scratch.

When it triggers

  • use for gradual improvements.

More skills in github/awesome-copilot

7 skills are listed from this repository.

Similar skills

More coding skills

All Coding

FAQ

Refactor FAQ

Still curious? Email info@appsgit.com.

What is the Refactor skill?

Refactor is an agent skill (a SKILL.md file) from github/awesome-copilot. Surgical code refactoring to improve maintainability without changing behavior. It works with Claude Code and GitHub Copilot and has 39,749 GitHub stars across a repository of 7 listed skills. Install it by copying the skill folder into your agent's skills directory. Its SKILL.md lives at github.com/github/awesome-copilot/skills/refactor.

How do I install the Refactor skill?

Copy the refactor folder (the one containing SKILL.md) into ~/.claude/skills/ for Claude Code, .agents/skills/ for Codex or .cursor/skills/ for Cursor. The agent picks it up automatically when a task matches its description.

Is the Refactor skill free?

Yes. The repository is open source under the MIT license.

Is Refactor maintained?

The repository's most recent commit was on Oct 7, 2026. appsgit only lists skills from repositories with a commit in the last six months.