knip vs depcheck vs npm-check
Package Dependency Management
knipdepchecknpm-check
Package Dependency Management

Package dependency management tools help developers analyze and manage the dependencies in their projects. These tools can identify unused dependencies, check for outdated packages, and provide insights into the dependency tree, helping to keep projects clean, efficient, and up-to-date. depcheck focuses on finding unused dependencies in your project, knip helps identify and remove unused code and dependencies, while npm-check provides a comprehensive overview of your dependencies, including those that are outdated, missing, or unused, with an interactive CLI for easy management.

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Package
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knip4,326,4689,6531.44 MB61an hour agoISC
depcheck1,607,3794,940231 kB1162 years agoMIT
npm-check361,8036,64494.1 kB233-MIT
Feature Comparison: knip vs depcheck vs npm-check

Primary Functionality

  • knip:

    knip identifies unused code and dependencies in your project. It provides insights into both code and dependency usage, helping you clean up your codebase and remove anything that is no longer needed.

  • depcheck:

    depcheck scans your project to find dependencies that are listed in your package.json but are not used in your code. It helps you identify and remove these unused dependencies to keep your project clean and reduce its size.

  • npm-check:

    npm-check provides a detailed overview of your dependencies, highlighting those that are outdated, missing, or unused. It helps you manage your dependencies more effectively by providing clear information and allowing you to take action directly from the CLI.

Interactive Features

  • knip:

    knip offers some interactive features, such as visualizing unused code and dependencies, which can help you understand the scope of what needs to be removed. However, it is primarily focused on providing insights rather than interactive management.

  • depcheck:

    depcheck does not provide interactive features; it simply outputs a list of unused dependencies in the terminal. This makes it quick and easy to use, but it does not offer any built-in functionality for managing the dependencies directly.

  • npm-check:

    npm-check is highly interactive, allowing you to see a real-time overview of your dependencies and take action directly from the command line. You can update, uninstall, or review dependencies interactively, making it a user-friendly tool for managing your project’s dependencies.

Integration with CI/CD

  • knip:

    knip can also be integrated into CI/CD workflows to identify and report unused code and dependencies. Its ability to provide detailed reports makes it useful for maintaining code quality in automated processes.

  • depcheck:

    depcheck can be easily integrated into CI/CD pipelines to automatically check for unused dependencies as part of the build process. This helps ensure that your project remains clean and free of unnecessary dependencies over time.

  • npm-check:

    npm-check can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines, but its interactive nature may limit its effectiveness in fully automated environments. However, it can still be used to generate reports on dependency status as part of the build process.

Ease of Use: Code Examples

  • knip:

    Example of using knip to identify unused code and dependencies:

    npx knip
    
  • depcheck:

    Example of using depcheck to find unused dependencies:

    npx depcheck
    
  • npm-check:

    Example of using npm-check to check dependency status:

    npx npm-check
    
How to Choose: knip vs depcheck vs npm-check
  • knip:

    Select knip if you are looking for a tool that not only identifies unused dependencies but also helps you visualize and clean up your codebase. It is particularly useful for larger projects where unused code and dependencies can accumulate over time.

  • depcheck:

    Choose depcheck if you want a lightweight tool specifically for identifying unused dependencies in your project. It provides a simple command-line interface and integrates well into build processes.

  • npm-check:

    Opt for npm-check if you need a comprehensive tool that provides detailed information about your dependencies, including outdated, missing, and unused packages. Its interactive interface makes it easy to manage dependencies directly from the command line.

README for knip


Knip

NPM Version NPM Downloads GitHub Repo stars

Knip finds and fixes unused dependencies, exports and files in your JavaScript and TypeScript projects. Less code and dependencies lead to improved performance, less maintenance and easier refactorings.

Contributors

Special thanks to the wonderful people who have contributed to Knip!

Knip

/'knɪp/ means "(to) cut" and is pronounced with a hard "K" 🇳🇱

License

Knip is free and open-source software licensed under the ISC License.

Parts of Knip have been inspired by and/or partially copy code from the following projects: