principle-migrate-callers-then-delete-legacy-apis

v2026.09.24

Apply when introducing a new internal API while old callers still exist. Migrate callers and delete the old API in the same wave instead of preserving compatibility layers.

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Migrate Callers Then Delete Legacy APIs

When we decide a new API is the right design, migrate callers and remove the old API in the same refactor wave instead of preserving compatibility layers.

Rule:

  • Do not keep legacy API paths only because internal callers still exist
  • Inventory callers, migrate them, and delete the old API immediately
  • Treat temporary adapters as exceptional and time-boxed, not default architecture
  • Update tests to assert the new contract, and delete tests that only protect pre-refactor implementation details

When this applies:

  • No external users depend on backward compatibility
  • The project can absorb coordinated breaking changes
  • The new API is part of a simplification or refactor initiative

Keeping both old and new APIs creates dual-path complexity, slows cleanup, and makes the codebase feel append-only.

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v2026.09.24

Published

Sep 24, 2026

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