Dependency Analyzer

Greps git diff for new import lines, classifies the importer and the imported module by layer, and flags any cross-layer import that violates the project's dependency direction.

The layer rule

From ARCHITECTURE.md:

types  ←  core  ←  extensions  ←  apps

Anyone can import from @ethosagent/types (zero-dep contracts). Nothing should import upward — core does not import extensions, extensions do not import apps. Imports across siblings at the same layer (e.g. extension A → extension B) are also a smell — extensions should compose via the contracts in types, not depend on each other.

Usage

.agents/skills/dependency-analyzer/scripts/dep-analyze

No arguments — analyses uncommitted + staged changes against HEAD.

Output shape

{
  "new_imports": [
    {
      "file": "packages/core/src/agent-loop.ts",
      "importer_layer": "core",
      "module": "@ethosagent/llm-anthropic",
      "module_layer": "extensions"
    }
  ],
  "violations": [
    {
      "file": "packages/core/src/agent-loop.ts",
      "importer_layer": "core",
      "module": "@ethosagent/llm-anthropic",
      "module_layer": "extensions",
      "rule": "core must not import from extensions"
    }
  ],
  "verdict": "violations_found"
}

verdict is "clean", "violations_found", or "unchanged" (no new imports).

When to use

• Adding a workspace dependency, especially one that crosses layers.
• Adding any import from a different package than the one you're editing.
• Before invoking /openai-reviewer on a non-trivial diff — a clean dependency report makes the review focused on logic, not coupling concerns.
• When the user asks "what does this depend on now", "did I introduce coupling", "any new imports".

When NOT to use

• For checking type-level imports (import type { ... }) only — those don't create runtime coupling, the script still flags them but treat as informational.
• As a substitute for the constitution validator in pnpm check — that runs against more than just imports.

Acting on violations

Per CLAUDE.md Rule 7: if the violation is intentional (e.g. wiring layer pulling extensions to compose them), open a constitutional amendment per ARCHITECTURE.md §VI. Otherwise refactor — pull the shared piece into @ethosagent/types or invert the dependency.

Read-only

Reads git diff and the filesystem only. Does not modify code.