# Knip Deadcode

> Community Knip Dead Code Detection Best Practices

- Skill: `comeonoliver/knip-deadcode` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add comeonoliver/knip-deadcode`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/comeonoliver/knip-deadcode/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: ComeOnOliver (https://skillmd.com/u/comeonoliver)
- Updated: 2026-09-21
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/comeonoliver/knip-deadcode

---

# Community Knip Dead Code Detection Best Practices

Comprehensive guide for detecting and removing dead code in JavaScript and TypeScript projects using Knip. Contains 43 rules across 8 categories, prioritized by impact to guide configuration, CI integration, and cleanup workflows.

## When to Apply

Reference these guidelines when:
- Configuring Knip for a new project or monorepo
- Investigating false positives or false negatives
- Setting up CI pipelines to prevent dead code regressions
- Using auto-fix to clean up unused code
- Optimizing Knip performance for large codebases

## Rule Categories by Priority

| Priority | Category | Impact | Prefix |
|----------|----------|--------|--------|
| 1 | Configuration Foundations | CRITICAL | `config-` |
| 2 | Entry Point Strategy | CRITICAL | `entry-` |
| 3 | Workspace & Monorepo | HIGH | `workspace-` |
| 4 | Dependency Analysis | HIGH | `deps-` |
| 5 | Export Detection | MEDIUM-HIGH | `exports-` |
| 6 | CI Integration | MEDIUM | `ci-` |
| 7 | Auto-Fix Workflow | MEDIUM | `fix-` |
| 8 | Performance Optimization | LOW-MEDIUM | `perf-` |

## Quick Reference

### 1. Configuration Foundations (CRITICAL)

- [`config-avoid-broad-ignore`](references/config-avoid-broad-ignore.md) - Avoid broad ignore patterns
- [`config-configure-path-aliases`](references/config-configure-path-aliases.md) - Configure path aliases in Knip
- [`config-enable-plugins-explicitly`](references/config-enable-plugins-explicitly.md) - Enable framework plugins explicitly
- [`config-run-without-config`](references/config-run-without-config.md) - Run without config first for baseline
- [`config-separate-entry-project`](references/config-separate-entry-project.md) - Separate entry files from project files
- [`config-use-json-schema`](references/config-use-json-schema.md) - Use JSON schema for configuration validation
- [`config-use-negation-patterns`](references/config-use-negation-patterns.md) - Use negation patterns for exclusions
- [`config-use-production-mode`](references/config-use-production-mode.md) - Use production mode for shipping code analysis

### 2. Entry Point Strategy (CRITICAL)

- [`entry-add-dynamic-imports`](references/entry-add-dynamic-imports.md) - Add dynamic import targets as entry points
- [`entry-exclude-test-files`](references/entry-exclude-test-files.md) - Exclude test files from production entries
- [`entry-include-all-entry-points`](references/entry-include-all-entry-points.md) - Include all application entry points
- [`entry-include-bin-scripts`](references/entry-include-bin-scripts.md) - Include binary scripts as entry points
- [`entry-use-compilers`](references/entry-use-compilers.md) - Use compilers for non-standard file types
- [`entry-use-plugin-entries`](references/entry-use-plugin-entries.md) - Use plugin entry points for frameworks
- [`entry-verify-with-debug`](references/entry-verify-with-debug.md) - Verify entry points with debug mode

### 3. Workspace & Monorepo (HIGH)

- [`workspace-configure-root-workspace`](references/workspace-configure-root-workspace.md) - Configure root workspace explicitly
- [`workspace-ignore-specific`](references/workspace-ignore-specific.md) - Ignore specific workspaces when needed
- [`workspace-isolate-for-strict`](references/workspace-isolate-for-strict.md) - Isolate workspaces for strict dependency checking
- [`workspace-list-cross-deps`](references/workspace-list-cross-deps.md) - List cross-workspace dependencies explicitly
- [`workspace-per-workspace-plugins`](references/workspace-per-workspace-plugins.md) - Configure plugins per workspace
- [`workspace-use-workspace-globs`](references/workspace-use-workspace-globs.md) - Use workspace globs for consistent configuration

### 4. Dependency Analysis (HIGH)

- [`deps-add-unlisted-deps`](references/deps-add-unlisted-deps.md) - Add unlisted dependencies to package.json
- [`deps-avoid-transitive-reliance`](references/deps-avoid-transitive-reliance.md) - Avoid relying on transitive dependencies
- [`deps-configure-plugin-deps`](references/deps-configure-plugin-deps.md) - Configure plugins for tool-specific dependencies
- [`deps-fix-files-first`](references/deps-fix-files-first.md) - Fix unused files before dependencies
- [`deps-ignore-conditional-deps`](references/deps-ignore-conditional-deps.md) - Ignore conditionally loaded dependencies
- [`deps-remove-obsolete-types`](references/deps-remove-obsolete-types.md) - Remove obsolete type definition packages

### 5. Export Detection (MEDIUM-HIGH)

- [`exports-check-class-members`](references/exports-check-class-members.md) - Check class members for unused code
- [`exports-enable-entry-exports`](references/exports-enable-entry-exports.md) - Enable entry export checking for private packages
- [`exports-handle-reexports`](references/exports-handle-reexports.md) - Handle re-exports in barrel files
- [`exports-ignore-same-file`](references/exports-ignore-same-file.md) - Ignore exports used in same file
- [`exports-tag-public-api`](references/exports-tag-public-api.md) - Tag public API exports with JSDoc
- [`exports-trace-usage`](references/exports-trace-usage.md) - Trace export usage before removal
- [`exports-use-include-libs`](references/exports-use-include-libs.md) - Use include libs for type-based consumption

### 6. CI Integration (MEDIUM)

- [`ci-add-to-pipeline`](references/ci-add-to-pipeline.md) - Add Knip to CI pipeline
- [`ci-separate-production-check`](references/ci-separate-production-check.md) - Separate production and default mode checks
- [`ci-use-cache`](references/ci-use-cache.md) - Enable cache for faster CI runs
- [`ci-use-max-issues`](references/ci-use-max-issues.md) - Use max issues for gradual adoption
- [`ci-use-reporters`](references/ci-use-reporters.md) - Use appropriate reporters for CI output
- [`ci-watch-mode-local`](references/ci-watch-mode-local.md) - Use watch mode for local development

### 7. Auto-Fix Workflow (MEDIUM)

- [`fix-allow-remove-files`](references/fix-allow-remove-files.md) - Explicitly allow file removal
- [`fix-format-after-fix`](references/fix-format-after-fix.md) - Format code after auto-fix
- [`fix-review-before-commit`](references/fix-review-before-commit.md) - Review auto-fix changes before commit
- [`fix-update-deps-after`](references/fix-update-deps-after.md) - Update package manager after dependency fix
- [`fix-use-fix-type`](references/fix-use-fix-type.md) - Use fix type for targeted cleanup

### 8. Performance Optimization (LOW-MEDIUM)

- [`perf-filter-issue-types`](references/perf-filter-issue-types.md) - Filter issue types for focused analysis
- [`perf-limit-output`](references/perf-limit-output.md) - Limit output for large codebases
- [`perf-profile-performance`](references/perf-profile-performance.md) - Profile performance for slow analysis
- [`perf-use-bun-runtime`](references/perf-use-bun-runtime.md) - Use Bun runtime for faster analysis
- [`perf-use-cache-flag`](references/perf-use-cache-flag.md) - Enable cache for repeated analysis
- [`perf-use-workspace-filter`](references/perf-use-workspace-filter.md) - Filter workspaces for faster monorepo analysis

## How to Use

Read individual reference files for detailed explanations and code examples:

- [Section definitions](references/_sections.md) - Category structure and impact levels
- [Rule template](assets/templates/_template.md) - Template for adding new rules

## Reference Files

| File | Description |
|------|-------------|
| [references/_sections.md](references/_sections.md) | Category definitions and ordering |
| [assets/templates/_template.md](assets/templates/_template.md) | Template for new rules |
| [metadata.json](metadata.json) | Version and reference information |