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

config-

entry-

workspace-

deps-

exports-

ci-

fix-

perf-

Quick Reference

1. Configuration Foundations (CRITICAL)

• config-avoid-broad-ignore

  - Avoid broad ignore patterns

• config-configure-path-aliases

  - Configure path aliases in Knip

• config-enable-plugins-explicitly

  - Enable framework plugins explicitly

• config-run-without-config

  - Run without config first for baseline

• config-separate-entry-project

  - Separate entry files from project files

• config-use-json-schema

  - Use JSON schema for configuration validation

• config-use-negation-patterns

  - Use negation patterns for exclusions

• config-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 points

• entry-exclude-test-files

  - Exclude test files from production entries

• entry-include-all-entry-points

  - Include all application entry points

• entry-include-bin-scripts

  - Include binary scripts as entry points

• entry-use-compilers

  - Use compilers for non-standard file types

• entry-use-plugin-entries

  - Use plugin entry points for frameworks

• entry-verify-with-debug

  - Verify entry points with debug mode

3. Workspace & Monorepo (HIGH)

• workspace-configure-root-workspace

  - Configure root workspace explicitly

• workspace-ignore-specific

  - Ignore specific workspaces when needed

• workspace-isolate-for-strict

  - Isolate workspaces for strict dependency checking

• workspace-list-cross-deps

  - List cross-workspace dependencies explicitly

• workspace-per-workspace-plugins

  - Configure plugins per workspace

• workspace-use-workspace-globs

  - Use workspace globs for consistent configuration

4. Dependency Analysis (HIGH)

• deps-add-unlisted-deps

  - Add unlisted dependencies to package.json

• deps-avoid-transitive-reliance

  - Avoid relying on transitive dependencies

• deps-configure-plugin-deps

  - Configure plugins for tool-specific dependencies

• deps-fix-files-first

  - Fix unused files before dependencies

• deps-ignore-conditional-deps

  - Ignore conditionally loaded dependencies

• deps-remove-obsolete-types

  - Remove obsolete type definition packages

5. Export Detection (MEDIUM-HIGH)

• exports-check-class-members

  - Check class members for unused code

• exports-enable-entry-exports

  - Enable entry export checking for private packages

• exports-handle-reexports

  - Handle re-exports in barrel files

• exports-ignore-same-file

  - Ignore exports used in same file

• exports-tag-public-api

  - Tag public API exports with JSDoc

• exports-trace-usage

  - Trace export usage before removal

• exports-use-include-libs

  - Use include libs for type-based consumption

6. CI Integration (MEDIUM)

• ci-add-to-pipeline

  - Add Knip to CI pipeline

• ci-separate-production-check

  - Separate production and default mode checks

• ci-use-cache

  - Enable cache for faster CI runs

• ci-use-max-issues

  - Use max issues for gradual adoption

• ci-use-reporters

  - Use appropriate reporters for CI output

• ci-watch-mode-local

  - Use watch mode for local development

7. Auto-Fix Workflow (MEDIUM)

• fix-allow-remove-files

  - Explicitly allow file removal

• fix-format-after-fix

  - Format code after auto-fix

• fix-review-before-commit

  - Review auto-fix changes before commit

• fix-update-deps-after

  - Update package manager after dependency fix

• fix-use-fix-type

  - Use fix type for targeted cleanup

8. Performance Optimization (LOW-MEDIUM)

• perf-filter-issue-types

  - Filter issue types for focused analysis

• perf-limit-output

  - Limit output for large codebases

• perf-profile-performance

  - Profile performance for slow analysis

• perf-use-bun-runtime

  - Use Bun runtime for faster analysis

• perf-use-cache-flag

  - Enable cache for repeated analysis

• perf-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