Mass Frontend Refactors: Less Stress; More Success
summary
Shows how to convert a 2 million‑line JavaScript codebase to a new i18n API using AST transforms rather than blind find/replace, using babel codemod or Facebook’s jscodeshift (SWC plugins are coming). Emphasizes required armor: reliable CI, per‑file unit tests, E2E and TypeScript checks, and a roll forward strategy. Recommends monorepo + divide‑and‑conquer PRs, commit‑then‑rebase‑and‑fix workflow, and experimenting at astexplorer.net; result: big changes succeed but expect temporary breakage and the need for quick rollbacks.
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chapters (9)
- 0:00Introduction to mass refactors
- 3:33Armor for successful refactors
- 6:21Monorepos as refactor tools
- 7:03Choosing your code mod weapon
- 10:34Writing your code mod script
- 12:58Refactor strategies and tactics
- 16:24Live AST exploration demo
- 30:07Rollback and roll forward strategies
- 33:17Closing and feedback request
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