Bolt edits a huge file and breaks something else

Symptom

A small UI fix rewrites a file that is hundreds of lines long, and an unrelated screen regresses.

Root cause

Bolt's guide for reliable edits says to scope each prompt to a single change, and to refactor a file of around 500 lines or more before trusting further edits. The prompt it publishes splits the file, keeps the original as a router, and adds a comment explaining each new file. It also says smaller files reduce editing errors. Version History is the rollback if a refactor goes wrong.

Look at the file I name. If it is about 500 lines or longer, do not add the feature in place.

Refactor that file by splitting it into multiple files. Keep the original file as a router so the app still runs. Add a short comment at the top of each new file explaining its job. Do not change behavior. Stop so I can test before any new feature work.

Paste this into the coding tool that has your own project open.

2-minute self-check

These steps are for an app you own. Do not run them against someone else's project.

1. In your own project, check the line count of the file Bolt keeps rewriting.
2. After a split, click through the screen that file owned and one neighboring screen.
3. If either breaks, restore the previous version from your own Version History before you try again.

Sources

• Bolt: Issues (editing larger projects)