Extract payment validation logic into its own module
Identify all payment validation code scattered across controllers and pull it into a single, testable module.
Engineering
Refactoring Project Board
Refactoring Project Board: Ship Large Refactors in Safe Milestones
Large refactors fail when they're tackled as one giant branch. This Refactoring Project Board template breaks the work into Backlog, Scoped, In Progress, In Review, and Merged columns so every code change stays small, reviewable, and reversible. Use it directly on the kanban board, or let an AI agent drive it through the MCP server to create tasks, scope acceptance criteria, and move milestones forward as branches open and PRs get approved. Built for engineering teams who need visibility into refactor progress without blocking feature work.
kanboard.io/templates/refactoring-project
Template preview
Refactoring Project Board
5 columns
Backlog
3Capture candidate refactor slices before they are scoped, so nothing large gets started without a plan.
Replace legacy XML config parser with typed config loader
Draft a plan to swap the ad-hoc XML parser for a strongly typed config loader without breaking existing deployments.
Split monolithic UserService class
UserService has grown to handle auth, profile, and billing concerns; outline how to split it into three services.
Scoped
3Hold refactor tasks that have written acceptance criteria and a rollback plan, ready for a branch to be opened.
Scope: Decouple order pricing from checkout controller
Acceptance criteria and rollback plan written; ready for a developer to branch and start implementation.
Scope: Migrate database access layer to repository pattern
Define the interface boundaries and confirm the migration can be rolled back per-table if issues arise.
Scope: Remove deprecated feature flags from checkout flow
List every flag to remove and the tests needed to confirm removal doesn't change behavior.
In Progress
2Track refactor slices actively being coded on a branch, one milestone at a time.
Split monolithic UserService class
Branch opened; extracting AuthService first, keeping ProfileService and BillingService interfaces stable.
Migrate database access layer to repository pattern
Repository interfaces implemented for orders table; tests passing locally.
In Review
2Hold tasks whose PR is open and awaiting review, so reviewers know exactly what refactor scope to check.
Extract payment validation logic into its own module
PR open with before/after diff and test coverage report; awaiting reviewer approval.
Replace legacy XML config parser with typed config loader
PR open; CI passing; requesting a second reviewer familiar with deployment configs.
Merged
2Confirm completed refactor milestones that passed CI and review, providing a visible trail of safe incremental progress.
Remove deprecated feature flags from checkout flow
Merged to main; flags removed and verified in staging with no behavior change.
Decouple order pricing from checkout controller
Merged; pricing logic now lives in its own module with full test coverage.
How to run this board
Step 1
Add every candidate refactor slice to Backlog with a clear description of the module or file boundary involved.
Step 2
Move a task to Scoped once acceptance criteria and a rollback plan are documented, so any developer can pick it up safely.
Step 3
Move to In Progress when a branch is opened, keeping each task limited to one reviewable milestone.
Step 4
Move to In Review once a PR is open, then to Merged only after CI passes and the PR is approved.
Step 5
Use the MCP server or REST API to automate task creation and movement as an AI agent tracks refactor progress.
AI agent usage
Run it with AI agents
An engineering agent uses this board to break a large, risky refactor into small, independently reviewable milestones. It queries the MCP server to inspect current board state, creates tasks for each refactor slice, and moves them across columns as branches are scoped, coded, reviewed, and merged, keeping work visible and rollback-safe.
# Refactoring Project Board
Columns: Backlog, Scoped, In Progress, In Review, Merged.
Use the MCP server tools (list_tasks, get_task, create_task, update_task, move_task) to manage refactor milestones.
When scoping a refactor slice, create a task in Backlog with a clear file/module boundary in the description.
Move a task to Scoped only after acceptance criteria and rollback plan are written.
Move to In Progress when a branch is opened; move to In Review when a PR is opened; move to Merged only after CI passes and the PR is approved.
Never exceed 25 tasks total (free plan limit) or 1 project (free plan limit) unless the workspace is on a pro plan.Create a task in Backlog to extract the payment validation logic into its own module, then move it to Scoped once I confirm the acceptance criteria.
Show me all tasks currently in In Review so I can check which refactor PRs are waiting on approval.
Move the 'Split monolithic UserService class' task from In Progress to In Review and summarize its current description.
Learn more about the board-centric workflow in Kanban for AI Agents or open the MCP guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many refactor tasks can I track on the free plan?
The free plan supports 1 project and up to 25 tasks total, which is enough to break a large refactor into small, reviewable milestones across all five columns.
Can I manage this board using an agent instead of clicking through the UI?
Yes. The MCP server exposes tools like list_tasks, create_task, update_task, and move_task so an AI agent can create and move refactor tasks on your behalf.
What happens if I need more than 25 tasks for a very large refactor?
You'll need to upgrade to the pro plan ($12/mo or $96/yr), which removes the task and project limits so you can track larger refactors.
Do I have to use exactly these five columns?
No, columns can be customized, but the board must stay within 3-6 columns total. The five shown here map to a typical refactor lifecycle from idea to merged code.
Can I move tasks with keyboard shortcuts instead of dragging?
Yes, the kanban board supports keyboard shortcuts and a command palette for quickly moving tasks between columns without using the mouse.
Is there a desktop app for managing this board?
Yes, a macOS app is available in addition to the web-based kanban board and REST API, so you can manage refactor tasks from your desktop.
Related templates
Ready to create this board?
Sign in and use the template to create a project with columns and sample tasks.