Refactoring Legacy Codebases
November 10, 2025·60 min
Learn how to use Cursor to tackle legacy codebases and complex migrations, from understanding unfamiliar code to executing large-scale refactors.
We'll cover:
- Using Cursor's codebase index to generate architectural overviews, diagrams, and documentation for legacy systems.
- Using Plan Mode to scope multi-file migrations before execution, with clarifying questions and structured proposals.
- Setting up dual-write patterns and test suites to validate refactored code against legacy behavior.
- Managing context across long sessions by starting fresh chats, referencing plans, and using git diffs.
- Using multi-root workspaces for cross-repo migrations and microservice environments.
- Applying Cursor Rules to enforce team standards and avoid repeated mistakes.
Perfect for teams working with COBOL, old frameworks, or any codebase that needs modernization without breaking production.