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Kodelyth ECC
Command

/refactor-clean

Remove dead code, duplicates, and tech debt with safe automated cleanup

Run:/refactor-clean

Refactor Clean

Safely identify and remove dead code with test verification at every step.

Step 1: Detect Dead Code

Run analysis tools based on project type:

| Tool | What It Finds | Command | |------|--------------|---------| | knip | Unused exports, files, dependencies | npx knip | | depcheck | Unused npm dependencies | npx depcheck | | ts-prune | Unused TypeScript exports | npx ts-prune | | vulture | Unused Python code | vulture src/ | | deadcode | Unused Go code | deadcode ./... | | cargo-udeps | Unused Rust dependencies | cargo +nightly udeps |

If no tool is available, use Grep to find exports with zero imports: 

# Find exports, then check if they're imported anywhere

Step 2: Categorize Findings

Sort findings into safety tiers:

| Tier | Examples | Action | |------|----------|--------| | SAFE | Unused utilities, test helpers, internal functions | Delete with confidence | | CAUTION | Components, API routes, middleware | Verify no dynamic imports or external consumers | | DANGER | Config files, entry points, type definitions | Investigate before touching |

Step 3: Safe Deletion Loop

For each SAFE item:

  • Run full test suite — Establish baseline (all green)
  • Delete the dead code — Use Edit tool for surgical removal
  • Re-run test suite — Verify nothing broke
  • If tests fail — Immediately revert with git checkout -- and skip this item
  • If tests pass — Move to next item

Step 4: Handle CAUTION Items

Before deleting CAUTION items:

  • Search for dynamic imports: import(), require(), __import__
  • Search for string references: route names, component names in configs
  • Check if exported from a public package API
  • Verify no external consumers (check dependents if published)

Step 5: Consolidate Duplicates

After removing dead code, look for:

  • Near-duplicate functions (>80% similar) — merge into one
  • Redundant type definitions — consolidate
  • Wrapper functions that add no value — inline them
  • Re-exports that serve no purpose — remove indirection

Step 6: Summary

Report results:

Dead Code Cleanup
──────────────────────────────
Deleted:   12 unused functions
           3 unused files
           5 unused dependencies
Skipped:   2 items (tests failed)
Saved:     ~450 lines removed
──────────────────────────────
All tests passing PASS:

Rules

  • Never delete without running tests first
  • One deletion at a time — Atomic changes make rollback easy
  • Skip if uncertain — Better to keep dead code than break production
  • Don't refactor while cleaning — Separate concerns (clean first, refactor later)

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