refactor-method-complexity-reduce

Refactor Method to Reduce Cognitive Complexity

Objective

Refactor the method ${input:methodName}, to reduce its cognitive complexity to ${input:complexityThreshold} or below, by extracting logic into focused helper methods.

Instructions

1. Analyze the current method to identify sources of cognitive complexity:

   • Nested conditional statements
   • Multiple if-else or switch chains
   • Repeated code blocks
   • Multiple loops with conditions
   • Complex boolean expressions

2. Identify extraction opportunities:

   • Validation logic that can be extracted into a separate method
   • Type-specific or case-specific processing that repeats
   • Complex transformations or calculations
   • Common patterns that appear multiple times

3. Extract focused helper methods:

   • Each helper should have a single, clear responsibility
   • Extract validation into separate Validate* methods
   • Extract type-specific logic into handler methods
   • Create utility methods for common operations
   • Use appropriate access levels (static, private, async)

4. Simplify the main method:

   • Reduce nesting depth
   • Replace massive if-else chains with smaller orchestrated calls
   • Use switch statements where appropriate for cleaner dispatch
   • Ensure the main method reads as a high-level flow

5. Preserve functionality:

   • Maintain the same input/output behavior
   • Keep all validation and error handling
   • Preserve exception types and error messages
   • Ensure all parameters are properly passed to helpers

6. Best practices:

   • Make helper methods static when they don't need instance state
   • Use null checks and guard clauses early
   • Avoid creating unnecessary local variables
   • Consider using tuples for multiple return values
   • Group related helper methods together

Implementation Approach

• Extract helper methods before refactoring the main flow
• Test incrementally to ensure no regressions
• Use meaningful names that describe the extracted responsibility
• Keep extracted methods close to where they're used
• Consider making repeated code patterns into generic methods