$ man refactoring

Refactoring

Restructuring existing code without changing what it does. Same output, better internals.

by Shawn Tenam

Code rots. You build something fast, it works, then three months later you need to add a feature and the original structure fights you. Refactoring is cleaning up the architecture so future changes are easier. GTM engineers need to understand this because it explains half of what Claude Code does when you ask it to "improve" something. It is not rewriting from scratch. It is reorganizing the pieces so they fit better. Obsidian works the same way for knowledge management - you refactor your notes as your understanding deepens. Same ideas, better connections.

Tell Claude Code "refactor this component to separate data fetching from rendering." It reads the file, identifies the coupling, and splits responsibilities without breaking existing behavior. I refactor data files when categories grow too large, split monolithic components when they pass 200 lines, and restructure wiki entries when related arrays get stale. The rule: if you are scared to touch a file, it needs refactoring.