trackbed:code:deprecate

Plan and run the deprecation of code, features, APIs, or persistent data shapes: build the replacement, announce, migrate incrementally, then remove.

/trackbed:code:deprecate

• Invocation: User
• Hosts: Claude Code, Codex ($trackbed:code:deprecate in Codex)
• Category: Code Changes
• Source: trackbed/skills/code:deprecate/SKILL.md

Description

Plan and execute deprecation of code, features, APIs, modules, or persistent data shapes, treating code as a liability. Covers the decision to deprecate (5-question checklist), Hyrum's Law risk assessment, Advisory vs Compulsory paths, Strangler / Adapter / Feature-Flag / Database Expand-Migrate-Contract patterns, and a four-step workflow: build replacement → announce → migrate incrementally → remove old. Emits SIMPLICITY CHECK, NOTICED BUT NOT TOUCHING, UNVERIFIED, and ASK FIRST markers. Use when removing legacy systems, evolving database schemas, sunsetting features, retiring API versions, or cleaning up zombie code with unknown owners.

Related

• Refers to: trackbed:code:api-design, trackbed:code:migrate, trackbed:code:refactor-opportunities, trackbed:code:refactor-pass, trackbed:verify:run
• Referred to by: trackbed:code:migrate