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Dead Export Analyzer

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Dead export and module analyzer for exported functions never imported, orphaned source files, unused dependencies, and dead barrel re-exports

Dead Export Analyzer

The Completeness Analyzer: Dead Export agent is a specialized analyzer focused on unused exports and module bloat. It finds exported functions that no other code imports, orphaned source files with no callers, unused dependencies in package.json, and dead barrel re-exports in index files.

When to Use

Use this agent when:

  • You need to identify exported functions never imported anywhere
  • You want to find orphaned source files with no callers
  • You're cleaning up unused dependencies from package.json
  • You need to identify dead barrel re-exports
  • You're reducing module surface area and technical debt

How It Works

  1. Scans exports - Finds all export statements across the codebase
  2. Tracks imports - Maps where each export is imported from
  3. Identifies unused - Finds exports with zero imports
  4. Finds orphaned files - Files with no importers anywhere
  5. Analyzes dependencies - Checks if node_modules packages are actually used
  6. Reports findings - Lists dead code with removal suggestions

Focus Areas

  • Exported functions never imported: export function unused() {} with no callers
  • Orphaned source files: Files that exist but no code imports from them
  • Unused dependencies: Packages in package.json never referenced in code
  • Dead barrel re-exports: Index files re-exporting unused things
  • Legacy exports: Functions kept for backwards compatibility but unused

Tools Available

This agent has access to: Read, Glob, Grep

Example Analysis

Given a module structure:

// src/lib/utils.ts
export function formatDate(d) { /* ... */ }       // Used
export function deprecatedHelper() { /* ... */ }  // NOT USED
export function oldValidation() { /* ... */ }     // NOT USED
 
// src/lib/index.ts (barrel export)
export * from './utils.ts';  // Re-exports everything, including unused
 
// src/components/unused-component.tsx
// This file exists but nothing imports it
 
// package.json
{
  "dependencies": {
    "lodash": "^4.17.0",     // NOT USED
    "axios": "^1.0.0"        // Used
  }
}

The Dead Export analyzer would identify:

Finding: Exported function never imported

Location: src/lib/utils.ts:23 Severity: P2 (dead export) Confidence: HIGH

Issue: Function deprecatedHelper is exported but never imported anywhere in the codebase. It's dead code taking up space.

Code:

export function deprecatedHelper() {
  // Not called from anywhere
  return 'This is never used';
}

Search: Searched entire codebase for deprecatedHelper - 0 matches Suggested Fix: Delete the function or move it to a deprecated file if keeping for backwards compatibility

// Remove this line:
export function deprecatedHelper() { /* ... */ }

Finding: Orphaned source file

Location: src/components/unused-component.tsx Severity: P2 (dead code) Confidence: HIGH

Issue: File exists but no code imports from it. The entire component is orphaned.

File Stats:

  • Created: 3 months ago
  • Last modified: 2 months ago
  • Imports: 0
  • Exports**: Component never used anywhere

Suggested Fix: Delete the file or check if it was meant to be used

// Delete src/components/unused-component.tsx

Finding: Unused dependency in package.json

Location: package.json:15 Severity: P2 (bloat) Confidence: MEDIUM

Issue: lodash is in dependencies but never imported in code. Increases bundle size and dependency count.

Search Results:

  • Grep for import.*lodash - 0 matches
  • Grep for require.*lodash - 0 matches
  • Bundle impact: +30KB (uncompressed)

Suggested Fix: Remove unused dependency

npm uninstall lodash

And remove from package.json:

// Before
"dependencies": {
  "lodash": "^4.17.0",
  "axios": "^1.0.0"
}
 
// After
"dependencies": {
  "axios": "^1.0.0"
}

Finding: Dead barrel re-export

Location: src/lib/index.ts:2 Severity: P1 (misleading API) Confidence: HIGH

Issue: Barrel export export * from './utils' re-exports unused functions, making the public API surface larger than necessary.

Code:

// src/lib/index.ts
export * from './utils';  // Re-exports 3 items, 2 are unused

Suggested Fix: Explicit imports only

// src/lib/index.ts
export { formatDate } from './utils';
// Remove unused: deprecatedHelper, oldValidation

Best Practices

  • Regularly audit exports (monthly in large projects)
  • Keep barrel exports small and intentional
  • Delete orphaned files immediately
  • Remove unused dependencies after each major refactoring
  • Use npm ls and tools like depcheck to find unused packages
  • Mark deprecations clearly if keeping for backwards compatibility

Output Format

For each finding, the agent provides:

  • Location: File path and line number (or package.json)
  • Type: Unused export, orphaned file, unused dependency, or dead re-export
  • Severity: P0 (incorrect API), P1 (misleading), or P2 (dead code)
  • Confidence: HIGH, MEDIUM, or LOW
  • Code/Details: Exact export or file
  • Usage: How many places import it (0 for dead code)
  • Impact: Bundle size increase, maintenance burden
  • Suggested Fix: How to remove or what to do

Example Usage

Task(
  description: "Find unused exports and orphaned modules",
  prompt: "Scan src/ for exported functions never imported, orphaned source files, unused node_modules packages, and dead barrel re-exports. Check package.json dependencies for unused packages.",
  subagent_type: "agileflow-completeness-analyzer-imports"
)

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