refactor-method-complexity-reduce

Refactor a method to reduce cognitive complexity by extracting helper methods.

github/awesome-copilot|Updated Apr 8, 2026

Works with

Claude CodeCursorClineWindsurfCodexGoose

What it does

Analyzes nested conditionals, loops, and complex boolean expressions to identify refactoring opportunities
Extracts validation logic, type-specific processing, and repeated code blocks into focused helper methods
Simplifies the main method flow while preserving all original functionality and error handling
Includes mandatory test verification to confirm zero test failures and cognitive complexity at or

Repository

github/awesome-copilot

Last updated

Apr 8, 2026

Installation Guide

Select your AI agent

How to use refactor-method-complexity-reduce on Cursor

AI-first code editor with Composer

Prerequisites

Before installing skills in Cursor, ensure your development environment meets these requirements:

›Cursor installed and configured on your machine
›Node.js 16+ with npm — verify with node --version
›Active project directory where you want to add refactor-method-complexity-reduce

Run the install command

Execute the skills CLI command in your project's root directory to begin installation:

$npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill refactor-method-complexity-reduce

Fetches refactor-method-complexity-reduce from github/awesome-copilot and configures it for Cursor.

Select Cursor when prompted

The CLI shows a list of agents. Use arrow keys and space to select Cursor:

◆ Which agents do you want to install to?

│

│ ── Universal (.agents/skills) ────────────────

│ · Cline · Codex · Goose · Windsurf

│ ●Cursor(selected)

│ · Cursor · Aider · Continue

Verify installation

Confirm successful installation by checking the skill directory location:

.cursor/skills/refactor-method-complexity-reduce

Restart Cursor to activate refactor-method-complexity-reduce. Access via /refactor-method-complexity-reduce in your agent's command palette.

⚠

Security Notice

We perform automated surface-level scans (Gen AI Scanner, Socket, Snyk) during installation. These checks detect common vulnerabilities but do not guarantee complete security. Always review skill source code and verify the publisher's reputation before production use.

Skills execute code in your environment. Always review source, verify the publisher, and test in isolation before production.

›View source on GitHub ›Skills CLI docs ›About Cursor ›What are agent skills?

Documentation

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Use Cases

User Story & Requirements Generation

Create detailed user stories, acceptance criteria, and feature specs

Example

Generate user stories for 'password reset feature' with acceptance criteria, edge cases, and test scenarios

✓

Reduce spec writing time by 50%, ensure comprehensive coverage

Competitive Analysis

Research competitors, compare features, identify gaps

Example

Analyze 5 competitor products, create feature comparison matrix, suggest differentiation opportunities

✓

Complete competitive research in 2 hours instead of 2 days

Roadmap Prioritization

Evaluate features using frameworks (RICE, ICE, Kano) and create prioritized backlogs

Example

Score 20 feature ideas using RICE framework, generate prioritized roadmap with rationale

Instructions

Analyze the current method to identify sources of cognitive complexity:

Nested conditional statements
Multiple if-else or switch chains
Repeated code blocks
Multiple loops with conditions
Complex boolean expressions

Identify extraction opportunities:

Validation logic that can be extracted into a separate method
Type-specific or case-specific processing that repeats
Complex transformations or calculations
Common patterns that appear multiple times

Extract focused helper methods:

Each helper should have a single, clear responsibility
Extract validation into separate Validate* methods
Extract type-specific logic into handler methods
Create utility methods for common operations
Use appropriate access levels (static, private, async)

Simplify the main method:

Reduce nesting depth
Replace massive if-else chains with smaller orchestrated calls
Use switch statements where appropriate for cleaner dispatch
Ensure the main method reads as a high-level flow

Preserve functionality:

Maintain the same input/output behavior
Keep all validation and error handling
Preserve exception types and error messages
Ensure all parameters are properly passed to helpers

Best practices:

Make helper methods static when they don't need instance state
Use null checks and guard clauses early
Avoid creating unnecessary local variables
Consider using tuples for multiple return values
Group related helper methods together

Testing and Validation

CRITICAL: After completing the refactoring, you MUST:

Run all existing tests related to the refactored method and its surrounding functionality

MANDATORY: Explicitly verify test results show "failed=0"

NEVER assume tests passed - always examine the actual test output
Search for the summary line containing pass/fail counts (e.g., "passed=X failed=Y")
If the summary shows any number other than "failed=0", tests have FAILED
If test output is in a file, read the entire file to locate and verify the failure count
Running tests is NOT the same as verifying tests passed
Do not proceed until you have explicitly confirmed zero failures

If any tests fail (failed > 0):

State clearly how many tests failed
Analyze each failure to understand what functionality was broken
Common causes: null handling, empty collection checks, condition logic errors
Identify the root cause in the refactored code
Correct the refactored code to restore the original behavior
Re-run tests and verify "failed=0" in the output
Repeat until all tests pass (failed=0)

Verify compilation - Ensure there are no compilation errors

Check cognitive complexity - Confirm the metric is at or below the target threshold of ${input:complexityThreshold}

Confirmation Checklist

Code compiles without errors

Test results explicitly state "failed=0" (verified by reading the output)

All test failures analyzed and corrected (if any occurred)

Cognitive complexity is at or below the target threshold of ${input:complexityThreshold}

All original functionality is preserved

Code follows project conventions and standards

refactor-method-complexity-reduce

What it does

Category

Repository

Last updated

Installation Guide

How to use refactor-method-complexity-reduce on Cursor

Prerequisites

Run the install command

Select Cursor when prompted

Verify installation

Security Notice

Documentation

List & Monetize Your Skill

Use Cases

User Story & Requirements Generation

Competitive Analysis

Roadmap Prioritization

Install Skill

Refactor Method to Reduce Cognitive Complexity

Objective

Instructions

Implementation Approach

Result

Testing and Validation

Confirmation Checklist

Stakeholder Communication

Implementation Guide

Best Practices

When to Use This

Learning Path

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