Transform Legacy Systems with Agentic AI
Got a legacy system that "just works" and nobody dares to touch? Learn how to use AI as a partner for understanding, documenting, and transforming legacy code through safe, incremental changes using the Test-First AI Modernization (TFAM) Framework.
2 hours each, online, live
Test-First AI Modernization framework
For teams modernizing existing systems
Session Breakdown
Understanding Legacy Code with AI
How to use AI for rapid onboarding into unfamiliar code
- - Step 0: Is your codebase "AI ready"?
- - Code archaeology techniques with AI — understanding business logic without documentation
- - Generating documentation and diagrams from existing code
- - Identifying hidden dependencies and side effects
- - Creating characterization tests — tests that describe current behavior
OUTCOME: You'll learn how to use AI for rapid understanding of legacy code and creating a safety net before making changes.
Safe Refactoring with AI
How to make changes without breaking anything
- - Step 0: Only refactor what's already covered by tests
- - Strangler Fig pattern with AI assistance
- - Micro-refactoring: one change at a time
- - AI-assisted code review for legacy changes
- - Techniques for isolating legacy code from new components
OUTCOME: You'll learn how to refactor legacy code in small, safe steps with AI support.
Adding New Features
How to extend legacy systems without increasing technical debt
- - Anti-Corruption Layer pattern — isolating new code from legacy
- - Gradual migration to modular architecture
- - AI for generating adapter and facade layers
- - Strategies for incremental test coverage
OUTCOME: You'll learn how to add new features that are isolated from legacy complexity.
Long-Term Strategy & Tools
How to plan modernization and which tools to use
- - Prioritization: which legacy code to modernize first
- - AI tools specific to legacy work (Sourcegraph Cody, CodeScene, others)
- - Documenting decisions and architectural changes
- - Building a modernization roadmap with AI assistance
OUTCOME: You'll have a plan and toolkit for long-term modernization of legacy systems.
Who Is This For?
Engineers who want to master and modernize their legacy systems faster and more effectively with AI. You should have prior experience with AI coding agents like Claude Code and hands-on experience with legacy systems.
Prerequisites
- - Subscription to Claude Code or similar AI coding assistant
- - Basic knowledge of at least one backend language (Python or JavaScript/TypeScript)
- - Experience working with legacy codebases
Ready to transform how your team approaches legacy modernization?
Book a 30-Minute Fit Call