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/refactor-clean Command

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

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Process

  1. Detect Dead Code - Run analysis tools
  2. Categorize Findings - Sort into safety tiers
  3. Safe Deletion Loop - Delete one item at a time, verify tests
  4. Handle Caution Items - Check for dynamic imports and string references
  5. Consolidate Duplicates - Merge near-duplicate functions
  6. Summary - Report results

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Dead Code Detection Tools

ToolWhat It FindsCommand
knipUnused exports, files, dependenciesnpx knip
depcheckUnused npm dependenciesnpx depcheck
ts-pruneUnused TypeScript exportsnpx ts-prune
vultureUnused Python codevulture src/
deadcodeUnused Go codedeadcode ./...
cargo-udepsUnused Rust dependenciescargo +nightly udeps

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Safety Tiers

TierExamplesAction
SAFEUnused utilities, test helpers, internal functionsDelete with confidence
CAUTIONComponents, API routes, middlewareVerify no dynamic imports
DANGERConfig files, entry points, type definitionsInvestigate before touching

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Safe Deletion Loop

For each SAFE item:
  1. Run full test suite - Establish baseline (all green)
  2. Delete the dead code - Surgical removal
  3. Re-run test suite - Verify nothing broke
  4. If tests fail - Immediately revert and skip
  5. If tests pass - Move to next item

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Command Syntax

/refactor-clean
No arguments required.

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Example Output

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 ✅

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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
  • Commands: /verify, /test-coverage