In the world of software development, maintaining a clean and organized codebase is crucial for long-term success. As projects evolve, I often find it necessary to reevaluate my code structure and make the necessary adjustments. In this article, I’ll share my step-by-step approach to refactoring a codebase for improved readability and maintainability.

Sometimes, I’ve realized that over-decoupling my code doesn’t make sense. In such cases, taking a step back can be the right move.

Initially, I may have separated my codebase into multiple directories such as repositories, models, records, and more. However, it’s important to assess whether this level of decoupling is truly beneficial.

I consider having a single “app” directory and moving my code there. This consolidation can make my code more readable and straightforward.

I start with the simplest tasks, like moving database records into the app directory. Once completed, I update connections to these records in repositories and specs. I ensure that all tests pass before moving on to the next step.

The next step involves refactoring my models. In this phase:

  • I rename my models based on what they represent. For instance, if I had Components::Model, it should become Models::Component.
  • I ensure that every file and class name is aligned with its purpose.

With good test coverage in place, I can be reasonably confident that these changes won’t introduce issues.

Similar to the model refactoring, I apply the same principles to my repositories:

  • I move them into the appropriate directory.
  • I update references and connections to match the new structure.

By tackling these changes incrementally, I maintain a smoother transition.

Contracts are usually easier to refactor. Since I now have everything in the “App” module, I remove unnecessary ::App references from contracts, repositories, and other related components.

I keep controllers as one of the last components to refactor. With everything consolidated into the “App” module, I can remove ::App references from controllers and other parts of my codebase. I consider renaming them to “routers” for clarity.

Finally, I address any remaining items within my codebase. In my “auth” module, I move classes like JsonWebToken and VerifyAndSetAccount into the “services” directory while retaining their namespace.

I don’t forget to reorganize my tests to match the new directory structure. Having tests in a logical order can greatly improve codebase maintainability.

By following this step-by-step approach, I can gradually refactor my codebase, making it more organized, readable, and maintainable. I always remember to thoroughly test my changes after each step to ensure that my application remains robust throughout the process.

As I continue to iterate and improve my codebase, I find that these efforts pay off in terms of developer productivity and code quality.

As always you can check my code on github