Deadcode - a tool to find and fix unused (dead) Python code — Albertas Gimbutas

Deadcode is a new Python tool for finding and fixing unused code, offering more precise detection than existing tools like Vulture

Key features include:

• Automatic removal of unused code
• More comprehensive detection rules (13 types of checks)
• Configurable false positive filtering
• Dry run option to preview changes
• Support for namespace-aware detection

Dead code creates technical debt by:

• Consuming cognitive capacity
• Requiring maintenance during upgrades
• Potentially introducing security vulnerabilities through outdated dependencies
• Increasing codebase complexity

The tool works in three main steps:

1. Finding all defined names
2. Finding all usages
3. Reporting/removing unused elements

Configuration options allow:

• Ignoring specific files or code sections
• Disabling specific checks
• Using decorators or inheritance to exclude code
• Writing no-quality-assurance comments inline

Handles special cases like:

• Django project meta definitions
• Data classes
• Type hints
• Empty file detection and removal

Future plans include:

• Possible integration into Ruff
• Development of a plugin system
• Standardization of detection procedures