@iamkurubaran/dead-code

A fast, zero-config CLI for finding exports that are imported nowhere in your project or monorepo.

Why this tool exists

Dead exports are easy to miss in growing codebases. They often linger after refactors, redesigns, or API cleanup, and they can make maintenance harder than it needs to be.

dead-code helps you find exports that are no longer consumed anywhere in your repository so you can remove them confidently.

Key features

• Cross-file and cross-package analysis for monorepos
• Zero configuration and no build step required
• Support for ES modules, CommonJS, and TypeScript syntax
• Entry-point awareness for public APIs and package exports
• Human-readable terminal output and JSON output for CI

Installation

npm install --save-dev @iamkurubaran/dead-code

You can also run it without installing it globally:

npx @iamkurubaran/dead-code

Requirements: Node.js 18 or newer.

Quick start

From the root of your project:

npx @iamkurubaran/dead-code

To protect your public API from being reported as unused, add entry points:

dead-code --entry "src/index.ts" --entry "src/index.js"

For CI workflows, fail the build when dead exports are found:

dead-code --fail-on-found --entry "src/index.ts"

CLI reference

dead-code [paths...] [options]

Common options

• -e, --entry <glob>: treat matching files as public entry points
• -i, --ignore <glob>: exclude additional files or patterns
• --cwd <dir>: analyze a different project root
• --json: emit structured JSON output
• --fail-on-found: exit with code 1 when unused exports are found
• -h, --help: show help
• -v, --version: show the installed version

Programmatic API

import { findDeadCode } from '@iamkurubaran/dead-code';

const result = await findDeadCode({
  cwd: process.cwd(),
  patterns: ['src/**/*.ts'],
  entry: ['src/index.ts'],
  ignore: ['**/*.test.ts']
});

console.log(result.unused);

Development

git clone https://github.com/iamkurubaran/DeadCode.git
cd DeadCode
npm install
npm test

Contributing

Contributions are welcome. Please open an issue or submit a pull request if you would like to improve the analyzer, add support for new syntax, or improve the documentation.

License

MIT © Kurubaran Anandhan