/code:dead-code

Detect and report dead code across languages.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when...	Use something else when...
Cleaning up after a major refactor	Setting up dead code tooling → /configure:dead-code
Auditing codebase for unused exports	Looking for duplicated code → /code:dry-consolidation
Reducing bundle size by removing dead code	Looking for anti-patterns → /code:antipatterns
Pre-merge cleanup of feature branches	Need full code review → /code:review

Context

Package files: !find . -maxdepth 1 $ -name "package.json" -o -name "pyproject.toml" -o -name "Cargo.toml" $ -type f
Knip config: !find . -maxdepth 1 $ -name "knip.json" -o -name "knip.jsonc" -o -name ".knip.json" $ -type f

Parameters

$1: Path to scan (defaults to current directory)
--tool: Force specific tool (knip, vulture, machete)
--fix: Automatically remove detected dead code where safe

Execution

Execute this dead code detection workflow:

Step 1: Detect project type and available tools

Check which languages are present and which dead code tools are available:

JavaScript/TypeScript: Check for knip or ts-prune
Python: Check for vulture
Rust: Check for cargo-machete

If no tool is available, report which tool to install and suggest /configure:dead-code to set up the project.

Step 2: Run dead code detection

JavaScript/TypeScript (Knip):

npx knip --reporter compact

If Knip is not configured:

npx knip --reporter compact --include files,exports,dependencies

Python (Vulture):

vulture ${1:-.} --min-confidence 80

Rust (cargo-machete):

cargo machete

Step 3: Categorize findings

Group results by severity:

Category	Severity	Action
Unused dependencies	High	Remove from package manifest
Unused exports	Medium	Remove export, check downstream
Unused files	Medium	Delete after confirming no dynamic imports
Unused variables/functions	Low	Remove if truly dead

Step 4: Apply fixes (if --fix)

If --fix flag is set:

Remove unused dependencies: update package.json/pyproject.toml/Cargo.toml
Remove unused exports (only if no external consumers)
Delete orphaned files (confirm no dynamic imports/requires reference them)
Run project tests to verify nothing broke

If --fix is not set, present a summary report with actionable items.

Step 5: Report results

Print summary:

Dead Code Report
================
Unused files: N
Unused exports: N
Unused dependencies: N
Total dead code: N items

Top items to remove:
- [file:export] reason

Post-Actions

If many unused dependencies found → suggest npm prune or equivalent
If no dead code tool configured → suggest /configure:dead-code
If fixes applied → suggest running tests with /test:run

Agentic Optimizations

Context	Command
Quick JS/TS scan	`npx knip --reporter compact --include files,exports`
Python scan	`vulture . --min-confidence 80`
Rust scan	`cargo machete`
CI mode	`npx knip --reporter json`
Exports only	`npx knip --include exports --reporter compact`

code-dead-code