Finds and safely removes code that is never executed — unreachable branches, uncalled functions, unused classes, dead feature flags. Use when cleaning up after a feature removal, when the user suspects the codebase has accumulated cruft, or when reducing build/bundle size.
Install with Tessl CLI
npx tessl i github:santosomar/general-secure-coding-agent-skills --skill dead-code-eliminator97
Quality
96%
Does it follow best practices?
Impact
Pending
No eval scenarios have been run
Discovery
100%Based on the skill's description, can an agent find and select it at the right time? Clear, specific descriptions lead to better discovery.
This is an excellent skill description that follows best practices. It uses third person voice, lists specific concrete actions, provides explicit 'Use when' triggers with natural language terms, and carves out a distinct niche that won't conflict with other skills. The description is concise yet comprehensive.
| Dimension | Reasoning | Score |
|---|---|---|
Specificity | Lists multiple specific concrete actions: 'unreachable branches, uncalled functions, unused classes, dead feature flags' - these are precise, actionable capabilities. | 3 / 3 |
Completeness | Clearly answers both what ('Finds and safely removes code that is never executed') and when ('Use when cleaning up after a feature removal, when the user suspects the codebase has accumulated cruft, or when reducing build/bundle size'). | 3 / 3 |
Trigger Term Quality | Includes natural terms users would say: 'feature removal', 'cruft', 'build/bundle size', 'dead code', 'unused' - these match how developers naturally describe cleanup tasks. | 3 / 3 |
Distinctiveness Conflict Risk | Clear niche focused specifically on dead code removal with distinct triggers like 'unreachable branches', 'dead feature flags', and 'cruft' - unlikely to conflict with general refactoring or code review skills. | 3 / 3 |
Total | 12 / 12 Passed |
Implementation
92%Reviews the quality of instructions and guidance provided to agents. Good implementation is clear, handles edge cases, and produces reliable results.
This is a high-quality skill that provides actionable, well-structured guidance for a nuanced task. The deadness classification table and public-symbol checklist add genuine value beyond Claude's base knowledge. The worked example is particularly strong, showing real decision-making rather than abstract steps.
| Dimension | Reasoning | Score |
|---|---|---|
Conciseness | Every section earns its place—the deadness classification table, uncertainty checklist, and worked example all provide information Claude wouldn't inherently know about codebase-specific patterns. No padding or explanation of obvious concepts. | 3 / 3 |
Actionability | Provides concrete verification steps, specific grep commands (`rg 'legacy_format' --type py`), exact file locations to check (`setup.py`, `pyproject.toml`), and a complete worked example with real decision-making. The output format is copy-paste ready. | 3 / 3 |
Workflow Clarity | Clear 5-step workflow (Identify → Verify → Deprecate → Delete → Test) with explicit validation checkpoints. The 'Deprecate first' step for uncertain cases provides a feedback loop, and the worked example demonstrates the verification sequence in practice. | 3 / 3 |
Progressive Disclosure | Content is well-organized with clear sections and tables, but it's a moderately long single file. The reference to `behavior-preservation-checker` suggests related skills exist but isn't a clear navigation link. Could benefit from splitting the worked example or detailed tables into separate reference files. | 2 / 3 |
Total | 11 / 12 Passed |
Validation
100%Checks the skill against the spec for correct structure and formatting. All validation checks must pass before discovery and implementation can be scored.
Validation — 11 / 11 Passed
Validation for skill structure
No warnings or errors.
Table of Contents
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