rust-refactor-helper
actionbook/rust-skills
Safe Rust refactoring with LSP-powered impact analysis and dry-run preview.
What is rust-refactor-helper?
Performs safe Rust refactoring operations (rename, extract function, inline, move) using Language Server Protocol analysis to find all references and detect conflicts before applying changes. Use this when you need to refactor code with confidence that all usages are updated correctly.
- Rename symbols across all files with reference tracking and conflict detection
- Extract code blocks into new functions with automatic signature generation
- Inline functions by replacing calls with their body
- Move symbols to different modules with import path updates
- Preview all changes with --dry-run before applying
- Detect potential issues: name conflicts, visibility changes, macro-generated code, documentation references
How to install rust-refactor-helper
npx skills add https://github.com/actionbook/rust-skills --skill rust-refactor-helperHow to use rust-refactor-helper
- 1.Run the skill with an action and target: `/rust-refactor-helper <action> <target>`
- 2.Use `--dry-run` flag to preview changes without applying them
- 3.Review the impact analysis table showing all affected files and lines
- 4.Check the potential issues section for conflicts or visibility changes
- 5.Apply changes once you've verified the preview is correct
Use cases
- Rename a function and automatically update all 8+ call sites across multiple files
- Extract a 15-line configuration loading block into a reusable function with proper error handling
- Move a service struct from handlers/ to services/ and fix all import paths in dependent files
- Inline a simple utility function and verify no callers are broken
- Preview refactoring impact on tests and documentation before committing
- Rust developers refactoring existing codebases
- Teams maintaining large Rust projects with many interdependencies
- Anyone needing confidence that refactoring won't break hidden references
rust-refactor-helper FAQ
The skill warns about macro-generated uses in the potential issues section, since these may not be automatically updated. You'll need to manually verify or update macro invocations.
Yes, but the skill flags it as a potential issue since it's a breaking change. The impact analysis shows all re-exports and public uses so you can assess the scope.
No, --dry-run only previews changes and shows the impact analysis table. You must run the command again without --dry-run to apply changes.
The skill detects name conflicts during the pre-refactor analysis and warns you before proceeding, preventing accidental overwrites.
Yes, the skill analyzes control flow and generates appropriate function signatures. It warns if the extraction is complex or may change behavior.
Full instructions (SKILL.md)
Source of truth, from actionbook/rust-skills.
name: rust-refactor-helper description: "Safe Rust refactoring with LSP analysis. Triggers on: /refactor, rename symbol, move function, extract, 重构, 重命名, 提取函数, 安全重构" argument-hint: "<action> <target> [--dry-run]" allowed-tools: ["LSP", "Read", "Glob", "Grep", "Edit"]
Rust Refactor Helper
Perform safe refactoring with comprehensive impact analysis.
Usage
/rust-refactor-helper <action> <target> [--dry-run]
Actions:
rename <old> <new>- Rename symbolextract-fn <selection>- Extract to functioninline <fn>- Inline functionmove <symbol> <dest>- Move to module
Examples:
/rust-refactor-helper rename parse_config load_config/rust-refactor-helper extract-fn src/main.rs:20-35/rust-refactor-helper move UserService src/services/
LSP Operations Used
Pre-Refactor Analysis
# Find all references before renaming
LSP(
operation: "findReferences",
filePath: "src/lib.rs",
line: 25,
character: 8
)
# Get symbol info
LSP(
operation: "hover",
filePath: "src/lib.rs",
line: 25,
character: 8
)
# Check call hierarchy for move operations
LSP(
operation: "incomingCalls",
filePath: "src/lib.rs",
line: 25,
character: 8
)
Refactoring Workflows
1. Rename Symbol
User: "Rename parse_config to load_config"
│
▼
[1] Find symbol definition
LSP(goToDefinition)
│
▼
[2] Find ALL references
LSP(findReferences)
│
▼
[3] Categorize by file
│
▼
[4] Check for conflicts
- Is 'load_config' already used?
- Are there macro-generated uses?
│
▼
[5] Show impact analysis (--dry-run)
│
▼
[6] Apply changes with Edit tool
Output:
## Rename: parse_config → load_config
### Impact Analysis
**Definition:** src/config.rs:25
**References found:** 8
| File | Line | Context | Change |
|------|------|---------|--------|
| src/config.rs | 25 | `pub fn parse_config(` | Definition |
| src/config.rs | 45 | `parse_config(path)?` | Call |
| src/main.rs | 12 | `config::parse_config` | Import |
| src/main.rs | 30 | `let cfg = parse_config(` | Call |
| src/lib.rs | 8 | `pub use config::parse_config` | Re-export |
| tests/config_test.rs | 15 | `parse_config("test.toml")` | Test |
| tests/config_test.rs | 25 | `parse_config("")` | Test |
| docs/api.md | 42 | `parse_config` | Documentation |
### Potential Issues
⚠️ **Documentation reference:** docs/api.md:42 may need manual update
⚠️ **Re-export:** src/lib.rs:8 - public API change
### Proceed?
- [x] --dry-run (preview only)
- [ ] Apply changes
2. Extract Function
User: "Extract lines 20-35 in main.rs to a function"
│
▼
[1] Read the selected code block
│
▼
[2] Analyze variables
- Which are inputs? (used but not defined in block)
- Which are outputs? (defined and used after block)
- Which are local? (defined and used only in block)
│
▼
[3] Determine function signature
│
▼
[4] Check for early returns, loops, etc.
│
▼
[5] Generate extracted function
│
▼
[6] Replace original code with call
Output:
## Extract Function: src/main.rs:20-35
### Selected Code
```rust
let file = File::open(&path)?;
let mut contents = String::new();
file.read_to_string(&mut contents)?;
let config: Config = toml::from_str(&contents)?;
validate_config(&config)?;
```
### Analysis
**Inputs:** path: &Path
**Outputs:** config: Config
**Side Effects:** File I/O, may return error
### Extracted Function
```rust
fn load_and_validate_config(path: &Path) -> Result<Config> {
let file = File::open(path)?;
let mut contents = String::new();
file.read_to_string(&mut contents)?;
let config: Config = toml::from_str(&contents)?;
validate_config(&config)?;
Ok(config)
}
```
### Replacement
```rust
let config = load_and_validate_config(&path)?;
```
3. Move Symbol
User: "Move UserService to src/services/"
│
▼
[1] Find symbol and all its dependencies
│
▼
[2] Find all references (callers)
LSP(findReferences)
│
▼
[3] Analyze import changes needed
│
▼
[4] Check for circular dependencies
│
▼
[5] Generate move plan
Output:
## Move: UserService → src/services/user.rs
### Current Location
src/handlers/auth.rs:50-120
### Dependencies (will be moved together)
- struct UserService (50-80)
- impl UserService (82-120)
- const DEFAULT_TIMEOUT (48)
### Import Changes Required
| File | Current | New |
|------|---------|-----|
| src/main.rs | `use handlers::auth::UserService` | `use services::user::UserService` |
| src/handlers/api.rs | `use super::auth::UserService` | `use crate::services::user::UserService` |
| tests/auth_test.rs | `use crate::handlers::auth::UserService` | `use crate::services::user::UserService` |
### New File Structure
```
src/
├── services/
│ ├── mod.rs (NEW - add `pub mod user;`)
│ └── user.rs (NEW - UserService moved here)
├── handlers/
│ └── auth.rs (UserService removed)
```
### Circular Dependency Check
✅ No circular dependencies detected
Safety Checks
| Check | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Reference completeness | Ensure all uses are found |
| Name conflicts | Detect existing symbols with same name |
| Visibility changes | Warn if pub/private scope changes |
| Macro-generated code | Warn about code in macros |
| Documentation | Flag doc comments mentioning symbol |
| Test coverage | Show affected tests |
Dry Run Mode
Always use --dry-run first to preview changes:
/rust-refactor-helper rename old_name new_name --dry-run
This shows all changes without applying them.
Related Skills
| When | See |
|---|---|
| Navigate to symbol | rust-code-navigator |
| Understand call flow | rust-call-graph |
| Project structure | rust-symbol-analyzer |
| Trait implementations | rust-trait-explorer |
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