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- Avoid broad ignore patternsconfig-configure-path-aliases- Configure path aliases in Knipconfig-enable-plugins-explicitly- Enable framework plugins explicitlyconfig-run-without-config- Run without config first for baselineconfig-separate-entry-project- Separate entry files from project filesconfig-use-json-schema- Use JSON schema for configuration validationconfig-use-negation-patterns- Use negation patterns for exclusionsconfig-use-production-mode- Use production mode for shipping code analysis
2. Entry Point Strategy (CRITICAL)
entry-add-dynamic-imports- Add dynamic import targets as entry pointsentry-exclude-test-files- Exclude test files from production entriesentry-include-all-entry-points- Include all application entry pointsentry-include-bin-scripts- Include binary scripts as entry pointsentry-use-compilers- Use compilers for non-standard file typesentry-use-plugin-entries- Use plugin entry points for frameworksentry-verify-with-debug- Verify entry points with debug mode
3. Workspace & Monorepo (HIGH)
workspace-configure-root-workspace- Configure root workspace explicitlyworkspace-ignore-specific- Ignore specific workspaces when neededworkspace-isolate-for-strict- Isolate workspaces for strict dependency checkingworkspace-list-cross-deps- List cross-workspace dependencies explicitlyworkspace-per-workspace-plugins- Configure plugins per workspaceworkspace-use-workspace-globs- Use workspace globs for consistent configuration
4. Dependency Analysis (HIGH)
deps-add-unlisted-deps- Add unlisted dependencies to package.jsondeps-avoid-transitive-reliance- Avoid relying on transitive dependenciesdeps-configure-plugin-deps- Configure plugins for tool-specific dependenciesdeps-fix-files-first- Fix unused files before dependenciesdeps-ignore-conditional-deps- Ignore conditionally loaded dependenciesdeps-remove-obsolete-types- Remove obsolete type definition packages
5. Export Detection (MEDIUM-HIGH)
exports-check-class-members- Check class members for unused codeexports-enable-entry-exports- Enable entry export checking for private packagesexports-handle-reexports- Handle re-exports in barrel filesexports-ignore-same-file- Ignore exports used in same fileexports-tag-public-api- Tag public API exports with JSDocexports-trace-usage- Trace export usage before removalexports-use-include-libs- Use include libs for type-based consumption
6. CI Integration (MEDIUM)
ci-add-to-pipeline- Add Knip to CI pipelineci-separate-production-check- Separate production and default mode checksci-use-cache- Enable cache for faster CI runsci-use-max-issues- Use max issues for gradual adoptionci-use-reporters- Use appropriate reporters for CI outputci-watch-mode-local- Use watch mode for local development
7. Auto-Fix Workflow (MEDIUM)
fix-allow-remove-files- Explicitly allow file removalfix-format-after-fix- Format code after auto-fixfix-review-before-commit- Review auto-fix changes before commitfix-update-deps-after- Update package manager after dependency fixfix-use-fix-type- Use fix type for targeted cleanup
8. Performance Optimization (LOW-MEDIUM)
perf-filter-issue-types- Filter issue types for focused analysisperf-limit-output- Limit output for large codebasesperf-profile-performance- Profile performance for slow analysisperf-use-bun-runtime- Use Bun runtime for faster analysisperf-use-cache-flag- Enable cache for repeated analysisperf-use-workspace-filter- Filter workspaces for faster monorepo analysis
How to Use
Read individual reference files for detailed explanations and code examples:
- Section definitions - Category structure and impact levels
- Rule template - Template for adding new rules
Reference Files
| File | Description |
|---|---|
| references/_sections.md | Category definitions and ordering |
| assets/templates/_template.md | Template for new rules |
| metadata.json | Version and reference information |