What if the legacy code is so bad that it's impossible to write unit tests for it?

This is a common nightmare. In these cases, you must use the AI to do an 'Extract and Wrap'. Ask the AI to extract the dirty code into an isolated module and wrap it in a clean Interface. Then, you write tests for the clean Interface before proceeding.

Why can't I just use the Composer to refactor the whole project overnight?

Because you will lose control of the blast radius. If the Composer hallucinates a critical change in file 32 out of 50, you won't notice it until production crashes. The Composer is for adding features; Surgical refactoring is for paying technical debt.

Does the AI ever misunderstand the legacy code in Phase 1?

Yes, if the legacy code has zero types and terrible variable names (`let x = p(q)`), the AI might guess wrong. This is why you must review the AI's Analysis Document and correct its assumptions before moving to Phase 2.

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Refactoring Legacy Code

Master the 3-Phase protocol for safe AI refactoring. Learn how to extract architectural blueprints from undocumented code, generate automated test safety nets, and execute surgical translations.

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