Refactor & Dead Code Cleaner
Identify and remove dead code, duplicates, and unused exports to keep the codebase lean and maintainable. Safety-first approach with comprehensive documentation.
Related Skills: -kavak-documentation- Query for Kavak-specific patterns that might look like dead code but are used dynamically - Usekavak-platform/platform_docs_searchMCP tool to verify before removing Kavak SDK/platform code
Quick Start
Detect project type and run appropriate analysis:
Node/TypeScript:
npx knip # unused exports/files/deps
npx depcheck # unused dependencies
npx ts-prune # unused exportsGo:
go mod tidy # remove unused deps
deadcode ./... # find unreachable code (golang.org/x/tools)
staticcheck ./... # includes unused code detectionPython:
vulture . # find dead code
pip-autoremove # unused dependenciesJava:
./mvnw dependency:analyze # unused dependencies
# Use IDE or SpotBugs for dead code detectionWorkflow
1. Analysis Phase
Run detection tools and categorize findings:
| Risk Level | Examples | Action |
|---|---|---|
| SAFE | Unused exports, unused deps | Remove after grep verify |
| CAREFUL | Dynamic imports possible | Manual review required |
| RISKY | Public API, shared utils | Do not remove |
2. Risk Assessment
For each item to remove:
- Grep for all references (including string patterns)
- Check for dynamic imports
- Verify not part of public API
- Review git history for context
3. Safe Removal Process
a) Start with SAFE items only
b) Remove one category at a time (this order matters — each step
may reveal more dead code in the next category):
1. Unused npm/go dependencies (safest, no code changes)
2. Unused internal exports (removing these may make files unused)
3. Unused files (now visible after export cleanup)
4. Duplicate code (consolidate remaining logic)
c) Run tests after each batch
d) Commit each batch separately4. Document Deletions
Update docs/DELETION_LOG.md after each session:
## [YYYY-MM-DD] Refactor Session
### Removed
- package-name - Reason
- src/unused-file.ts - Replaced by X
### Impact
- Files: -15, Deps: -5, Lines: -2,300Safety Rules
Before removing ANYTHING:
- Run detection tools
- Grep for all references
- Check dynamic imports
- Run all tests
- Create backup branch
After each removal:
- Build succeeds
- Tests pass
- Commit changes
- Update DELETION_LOG.md
When NOT to Use
- During active feature development
- Right before production deployment
- Without proper test coverage
- On code you don't understand
Error Recovery
# Immediate rollback if something breaks
git revert HEAD
# Reinstall deps and verify (by language)
# Node: npm install && npm run build && npm test
# Go: go mod download && go build ./... && go test ./...
# Python: pip install -r requirements.txt && pytest
# Java: ./mvnw clean installThen investigate: Was it a dynamic import/reflection? Update "DO NOT REMOVE" list.
References
| Reference | Purpose |
|---|---|
references/detection-tools.md | Tool commands and usage |
references/safety-checklist.md | Detailed safety procedures |
references/deletion-log.md | Log format and examples |
references/patterns.md | Common dead code patterns |
references/pr-template.md | PR template for cleanup |