← Glossary
What does "red-green-refactor" mean in programming?
red-green-refactor is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
The three-phase TDD cycle: write a failing test (red), write the minimum code to make it pass (green), then clean up the code without breaking the test (refactor). Each phase has a single focus, which keeps changes small and safe.
Example
"Following red-green-refactor kept our PR diffs small and every commit clearly purposeful."
Related terms
Ready to practice your English at work?
Lingua-e has interactive exercises built around real developer conversations: standups, code reviews, retrospectives, and more. Practice until it comes naturally.
Try Lingua-e for free