# Kill Dead Code

> Find and remove unreachable/unused code safely. Use during cleanup or before a refactor.

- Skill: `archive228/kill-dead-code` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add archive228/kill-dead-code`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/archive228/kill-dead-code/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: archive228 (https://skillmd.com/u/archive228)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/archive228/kill-dead-code

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# Kill Dead Code
1. **Prove it's dead** — no references (grep the symbol across the repo, including dynamic/string usage and tests). Unused export ≠ dead if it's a public API.
2. Check it's not feature-flagged off (dead today, alive when the flag flips).
3. Delete it AND its now-orphaned tests, imports, and config.
4. Run the full suite + a build. Dead code removal should change behavior in exactly zero ways.
Bias to delete: every line someone has to read is a cost. But never delete what you can't prove is unreachable — say "I think X is unused, confirm?" instead of guessing.