Refactoring GitHub Copilot Code for Production

Inconsistent patterns across the codebase from different Copilot sessions — some code uses async/await, some uses .then(), some uses callbacks. Naming conventions vary. Error handling approaches differ between files

Establish coding standards (linting rules, formatting, naming conventions) and apply them project-wide. Standardize async patterns. Create a consistent error handling strategy. Use ESLint rules to enforce consistency going forward

Not all GitHub Copilot code needs refactoring. If it works, is secure, and you don't need to modify it, leave it alone. Refactor when: you need to add features and the current structure makes it difficult, bugs keep appearing in the same area of code, or onboarding new developers takes too long because the code is hard to understand.

The golden rule of refactoring: behavior stays the same, structure changes. Before refactoring any code, make sure you have tests covering the current behavior (or add them first). Refactor in small steps — change one thing at a time and verify the app still works. Use version control (git) to commit after each successful change so you can revert if something breaks.

A well-organized project has a predictable structure where anyone can find what they're looking for. Group files by feature (not by type), keep related code together, and use clear naming. Every file should have a single clear purpose. If you can't describe what a file does in one sentence, it's probably doing too much and should be split.