Transforming Code with AI: A Real Refactoring Journey
In a groundbreaking initiative, I undertook the complex task of refactoring the Testcontainers for Go project, migrating 60 modules from testcontainers.GenericContainer() to the efficient testcontainers.Run() API. This journey wasn’t just about code; it was a real-world experiment with AI coding agents, combining manual insight and AI efficiency.
Key Highlights:
- Challenge: Migrate 60 modules while ensuring backward compatibility and adhering to coding standards.
- Phases:
- Manual Migration (7 days): Gained insights into patterns and edge cases.
- AI-Assisted Migration (3 days): Engaged AI (Claude Code) to expedite the process post-pattern establishment.
Discoveries:
- Consistent error handling and option ordering led to cleaner code.
- The AI multiplier proved 5x faster in applying migration patterns.
This wasn’t merely about speed; it enhanced code consistency, improved documentation, and refined my architectural oversight.
👉 Join the conversation! Have you used AI for refactoring? Share your thoughts or experiences below!
