Loose Ends
<purpose> Implementation feels done, but loose ends remain. The import you added but didn't use. The TODO you wrote and forgot. The test you meant to add. The console.log you left in. This skill forces a sweep before declaring victory. </purpose>When To Activate
<triggers> - About to say "done" or "complete" - Finishing a feature implementation - After fixing a bug - Before committing changes - After any multi-file change - User asks "is it ready?" </triggers>Instructions
The Loose Ends Checklist
Before declaring complete, run through:
<checklist> ## Loose Ends SweepCode Hygiene
- No unused imports
- No unused variables
- No commented-out code (unless intentional)
- No console.log/print statements left in
- No debugger statements
TODOs and FIXMEs
- No new TODOs created and forgotten
- Any existing TODOs in touched files addressed or noted
Tests
- New code has tests (or explicit reason why not)
- Existing tests still pass
- Edge cases considered
Types (if applicable)
- No
anytypes added - No type assertions without reason
- Interfaces/types defined for new structures
References
- Old references updated if things were renamed
- No broken imports
- No stale comments referring to old code
Error Handling
- Errors handled or explicitly bubbled up
- User-facing errors have good messages
- No silent failures </checklist>
Automated Sweep
Run the sweep script to find common cruft:
python scripts/sweep.py
Scans for:
console.log,print(),debuggerstatementsTODO,FIXME,XXX,HACKcommentsdd(),var_dump(),binding.pry(PHP/Ruby)
Quick Scan Commands
# Find TODOs in changed files
git diff --name-only | xargs grep -n "TODO\|FIXME"
# Find console.log in changed files
git diff --name-only | xargs grep -n "console.log"
# Find unused imports (TypeScript)
npx tsc --noEmit 2>&1 | grep "declared but"
# Find any types added
git diff | grep ": any"
Prioritize by Impact
Not all loose ends are equal:
| Priority | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Fix now | Broken imports, missing exports | Blocks functionality |
| Fix now | console.log in production code | Leaks info |
| Should fix | Unused imports/variables | Code smell |
| Should fix | Missing tests for new logic | Technical debt |
| Note for later | Old TODOs in touched files | Existing debt |
| Ignore | Style inconsistencies | Not your scope |
Output Format
## Loose Ends Check
**Files changed:** [count]
**Fixed:**
- [x] Removed unused import in `file.ts`
- [x] Removed console.log in `handler.ts`
**Noted:**
- [ ] `utils.ts:45` has existing TODO (not from this change)
**Clean:** No loose ends found / All addressed
NEVER
- Declare "done" without scanning for loose ends
- Leave console.log in production code
- Create TODOs and forget about them
- Leave unused imports from experimentation
- Skip the checklist because "it's a small change"
ALWAYS
- Scan changed files before committing
- Remove debugging artifacts
- Address or document any TODOs you create
- Verify imports are used
- Check that tests pass after changes
Example
After implementing a new API endpoint:
## Loose Ends Check
**Files changed:** 4
**Scanning...**
`api/users.ts`:
- Line 3: unused import `lodash` → Removed
- Line 45: console.log for debugging → Removed
`types/user.ts`:
- Clean
`tests/users.test.ts`:
- New endpoint has test → Good
- Edge case (empty input) not tested → Added
`services/user.ts`:
- Line 23: TODO I wrote: "validate email format" → Addressed now
**Result:** 4 loose ends found and fixed. Ready to commit.