Wikipedia:Using sandboxes for article changes

Editors working on extensive or complex changes to articles sometimes prefer to work in a "sandbox" away from the affected article. The most common places for this are their "My sandbox" page or a userspace draft. Working in a sandbox can give an editor room to perfect their changes without the fear that an incomplete change will be reverted or exposed to readers of the article. For complex changes (such as re-organizing an article's structure) or on articles that are high-profile or controversial, use of a sandbox may reduce the social and psychological pressures of editing. However, introducing large changes from a sandbox can also have downsides. Large changes may take other editors by surprise, leading to negative reactions. In areas of controversy, some may get an impression that an editor is working in secret, then springing changes on other editors as a fait accompli. This essay gives advice on how to use sandboxes for article updates in ways that minimize disruption and conflict.

If you plan to do a rewrite or expansion in a sandbox, the following practices can help:

• Give early prior notice of your intention on the article's Talk page, so that page watchers can be aware of what is happening. Similar notice might be given to relevant WikiProject pages.
• Transfer changes from the sandbox to main space in installments (for example, a paragraph or section at a time) rather than in a single block. This approach makes it easier for other editors to digest and interpret the changes. (Remember that diffs for extensive changes can be difficult to interpret.)
• In addition to doing multiple edits for the transfer, it is also advisable to spread them out over time, so other editors have the opportunity to see the changes and react to individual edits rather than a massive change in a very short period.
• When the rewrite is complete, invite comments on the Talk page, and leave the revised text mostly unchanged for a time. If there are no substantial comments, revisions or reverts after several weeks, it is reasonable to believe that other editors have accepted your edits. At that point, you might seek other feedback, such as a peer review, or submit the article for formal review as a Good Article, Featured Article, or Featured List.
• Assume good faith at every stage. If an editor raises objections to the changes you are transferring from your sandbox, you should engage with their concerns as you would with normal editing.