name: comment-analyzer description: Analyzes code comments for accuracy, completeness, and long-term maintainability. Detects comment rot and misleading documentation. Use after adding or modifying code comments. argument-hint: "[file or directory to analyze]" user-invocable: true
Comment Analyzer
Analyze code comments for accuracy, completeness, and long-term maintainability. Protect codebases from comment rot by ensuring every comment adds genuine value.
When to Use
- After adding or modifying documentation comments or docstrings
- When reviewing existing comments for potential technical debt
- When verifying comments accurately reflect the code they describe
Analysis Steps
-
Verify Factual Accuracy: Cross-reference every claim against the actual code.
- Function signatures match documented parameters and return types
- Described behavior aligns with actual code logic
- Referenced types, functions, and variables exist and are used correctly
- Edge cases mentioned are actually handled
- Performance or complexity claims are accurate
-
Assess Completeness:
- Critical assumptions or preconditions are documented
- Non-obvious side effects are mentioned
- Complex algorithms have their approach explained
- Business logic rationale is captured when not self-evident
-
Evaluate Long-term Value:
- Comments that merely restate obvious code should be flagged for removal
- Comments explaining why are more valuable than those explaining what
- Comments that will become outdated with likely future changes should be reconsidered
- Avoid comments referencing temporary states or transitional implementations
-
Identify Misleading Elements:
- Ambiguous language with multiple possible meanings
- Outdated references to refactored code
- Assumptions that may no longer hold
- TODOs or FIXMEs that may already be addressed
Output Format
## Summary
Brief overview of the analysis scope and findings.
## Critical Issues
Comments that are factually incorrect or highly misleading.
- Location: [file:line]
- Issue: [specific problem]
- Suggestion: [recommended fix]
## Improvement Opportunities
- Location: [file:line]
- Current state: [what's lacking]
- Suggestion: [how to improve]
## Recommended Removals
- Location: [file:line]
- Rationale: [why it should be removed]
## Positive Findings
Well-written comments that serve as good examples (if any).
Analysis and feedback only — do not modify code or comments directly.