knip vs npm-check
Package Management and Cleanup Tools
knipnpm-check
Package Management and Cleanup Tools

Package management and cleanup tools help developers identify and remove unused dependencies in their projects, optimize package.json files, and maintain a cleaner, more efficient codebase. These tools analyze the project's dependency tree, identify packages that are no longer needed, and provide recommendations for removal, ultimately reducing the project's size and improving performance. They are essential for maintaining healthy projects, especially in large codebases where unused dependencies can accumulate over time.

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knip4,326,4689,6531.44 MB61an hour agoISC
npm-check361,8036,64494.1 kB233-MIT
Feature Comparison: knip vs npm-check

Dependency Analysis

  • knip:

    knip analyzes your project's code and generates a visual representation of the dependency graph, highlighting unused dependencies. It provides a clear view of how packages are connected, making it easier to identify which ones can be safely removed.

  • npm-check:

    npm-check scans your package.json file and the project's code to identify unused, outdated, and missing dependencies. It provides a detailed report in the terminal, allowing you to see which packages need attention and take action accordingly.

Visual Representation

  • knip:

    knip offers a graphical representation of your project's dependencies, which can be viewed in a web browser. This visual approach helps developers understand the relationships between packages and identify unused ones more intuitively.

  • npm-check:

    npm-check does not provide a visual representation of dependencies. Instead, it presents the information in a text-based format in the terminal, which is informative but less intuitive than a graphical interface.

Interactivity

  • knip:

    knip is primarily a non-interactive tool that generates reports based on your project's code. While it provides valuable insights, it does not offer interactive features for managing dependencies directly.

  • npm-check:

    npm-check features an interactive CLI that allows you to review unused, outdated, and missing dependencies in real-time. You can approve or reject changes directly from the terminal, making it easier to manage your dependencies on the fly.

Integration with CI/CD

  • knip:

    knip can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines to ensure that unused dependencies are identified and reported as part of the build process. This helps maintain a clean codebase over time.

  • npm-check:

    npm-check can also be integrated into CI/CD workflows, but its interactive nature may be less suitable for fully automated processes. It is best used as a manual tool or in pre-commit hooks to catch issues before they reach production.

Ease of Use: Code Examples

  • knip:

    Using knip to analyze dependencies

    npx knip
    
  • npm-check:

    Using npm-check to check dependencies

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

    Choose knip if you want a tool that provides a visual representation of your project's dependencies and helps you identify unused ones based on your code. It is particularly useful for projects where understanding the dependency graph is important.

  • npm-check:

    Choose npm-check if you need a comprehensive tool that not only identifies unused dependencies but also checks for outdated and missing packages. It offers an interactive CLI interface, making it easy to manage your dependencies directly from the terminal.

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: