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name: safe-editing description: Best practices for making safe, verified code edits tags: [editing, code, safety, validation]

Safe Code Editing Skill

Use this skill when making code changes that need verification.

Shadow Workspace Pattern

The Smart Edit plugin uses a "shadow workspace" approach:

1. Copy: Create a temporary copy of the file
2. Edit: Apply changes to the shadow copy
3. Validate: Run linters/type checkers on the shadow
4. Apply: Only apply changes if validation passes

When to Use

• Making structural code changes
• Refactoring existing code
• Editing files with type annotations
• Changes that need syntax validation

Workflow

1. Identify the file and changes needed
2. Use smart-edit tool with:
   • file_path: Target file
   • changes: Description of changes
3. Tool validates before applying
4. Review the diff and confirm

Benefits

• Safety: Changes validated before applying
• Rollback: Original preserved until confirmed
• Validation: Catch errors before they happen