Diggin' Up & Trimmin'

We are a mo from putting out the pots and planting outside, but I can start the de-potting and trimming roots.
I read the thread several mos ago, but have some questions now the time is here.
Do I want the pots dry or well watered to depot?
Then, do I pull away the soil and roots, and just snip away?
They are all really potbound, but were all cut back a lot before overwintering.
How do I loosen them?
Thanks for some trimming advice --- ?

I like the root ball to be damp enought so the dirt does not fall out of all the roots.

Use a big butcher knife or a small hand saw depending on the size of the roots.

Just shear off about 1/4 all around the outside of the root ball , repot and fill the voids with fresh soil.