Dead code and unused exports eliminated

Commented-out code blocks and abandoned files (api-old.ts, utils.backup.ts) create ambiguity about which implementation is authoritative and inflate the mental model required to understand the codebase. ISO 25010:2011 §6.5.2 classifies this as a maintainability defect. For AI-built projects, the risk is compounded: a new coding session may incorrectly treat the abandoned code as the canonical version and reintroduce bugs that were already fixed in the active implementation.

Delete dead code — version control history preserves it if you ever need it back. Enable TypeScript compiler flags to catch unused variables and parameters automatically:

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "noUnusedLocals": true,
    "noUnusedParameters": true
  }
}

For unused exports across the entire project, run:

npx ts-unused-exports tsconfig.json

For commented-out code blocks, configure an ESLint rule or use a pre-commit hook that flags multi-line comment blocks containing what looks like executable code.

• ID: code-quality-essentials.organization.dead-code-removed

• Severity: low

• What to look for: Look for large blocks of commented-out code in source files — this is a reliable signal that code was "removed" without being deleted, often because the developer wasn't sure if it would be needed again. Also look for: unused variables or imports that TypeScript would flag (noUnusedLocals, noUnusedParameters in tsconfig), exported functions or components that appear never to be imported anywhere in the codebase, entire files that appear to be old implementations retained alongside new ones (e.g., api-old.ts, utils.backup.ts, component.v2.tsx). Dead code increases maintenance burden and creates confusion about which implementation is authoritative.

• Pass criteria: Enumerate all relevant code locations. No significant commented-out code blocks, no obviously unused exports, and no clearly abandoned files alongside active replacements with at least 1 verified location.

• Fail criteria: Multiple large blocks of commented-out code, or clearly obsolete files retained alongside current implementations.

• Skip (N/A) when: Never — dead code applies to all projects.

• Detail on fail: "Found large commented-out code blocks in src/components/OldModal.tsx and src/lib/api-v1.ts; dead code should be removed"

• Remediation: Delete dead code — version control history preserves it if needed. Enable TypeScript flags to catch unused code automatically:

  {
    "compilerOptions": {
      "noUnusedLocals": true,
      "noUnusedParameters": true
    }
  }
  

  For unused exports across the project, run:

  npx ts-unused-exports tsconfig.json
  

  Remove any flagged exports that are not part of a public API.