# knip-deadcode

A set of 43 rules for configuring Knip in JavaScript and TypeScript projects. It helps spot dead code, trim unused dependencies, and wire checks into CI.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 378 installs · ★ 218
- Author: pproenca
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/pproenca/dot-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/.experimental/knip-deadcode/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-08-15
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/knip-deadcode

## What it does

This skill equips your coding agent with 43 prioritized rules for auditing dead code using Knip. The instructions span eight categories: foundation setup, entry point strategy, monorepos, exports, dependency tracking, CI integration, auto-fix, and performance.

It enforces a methodical approach. First, you run Knip without any config file to establish a baseline. Without explicit dynamic imports and path aliases, Knip will inevitably flag active code as obsolete. The skill also controls auto-fix routines, requiring code formatting and dependency manifest updates immediately after file modifications.

For CI pipelines, it recommends separating production audits from standard tests. You can adopt checks gradually using caching and the `--max-issues` flag without breaking daily builds.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill knip-deadcode -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/knip-deadcode/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/knip-deadcode/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill knip-deadcode -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/knip-deadcode/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill knip-deadcode -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/knip-deadcode/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install pproenca/dot-skills knip-deadcode
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/knip-deadcode/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill knip-deadcode -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/pproenca/dot-skills --path skills/.experimental/knip-deadcode
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/knip-deadcode/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill knip-deadcode -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/pproenca/dot-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/.experimental/knip-deadcode/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- configure Knip for monorepos with multiple workspaces
- detect unused exports, obsolete types, and unlisted dependencies
- integrate dead code verification into CI using cache and error thresholds
- execute auto-fix cleanups safely with post-run formatting

## Example prompts
- Help me configure knip.json for a TypeScript monorepo with custom path aliases
- Knip flags our dynamic imports as dead code, how do I configure entry points properly?
- Set up a Knip step in GitHub Actions with cache and --max-issues threshold

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 24ffd11c43e476e1.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 24ffd11c43e476e1
```text
---
name: knip-deadcode
description: Knip dead code detection best practices for JavaScript and TypeScript projects. Use when configuring Knip, analyzing unused code, setting up CI integration, or cleaning up codebases. Triggers on knip.json, dead code, unused exports, unused dependencies, bundle optimization.
---

# 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
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 24ffd11c43e476e1

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