find_unused_symbols

[references]

Finds likely-unused source symbols with zero non-self references. Skips generated code, overrides/interface implementations, and reflection-sensitive symbols by default.

Try it locally in the Glider playground

Parameters

Name	Type	Required	Description
kinds	string	No	Optional kinds filter (comma-separated). Type, Class, Interface, Struct, Enum, Delegate, Method, Property, Field, Event. Type means any named type; the rest match the kind a result reports.
scope	json	No	Optional scope. Omit scope to search the solution. When supplied, set mode to solution, project, document, or pathPrefix. project requires projectName. document requires filePath. pathPrefix requires pathPrefix. Paths can be absolute or relative to solutionRoot. Set includeExternal to true when the tool supports external symbols.
accessibility	string	No	Accessibility filter. Default is 'Private,Internal'. Default: `"Private,Internal"`
excludeReflectionSensitive	boolean	No	Skip reflection- or activation-sensitive symbols. Default is true. Default: `true`
summaryOnly	boolean	No	Return grouped summaries without the paged symbol list. Default is false. Default: `false`
pathStyle	string	No	Path style: 'absolute' (default) or 'relative' (to solution root). Default: `"absolute"`
skip	number	No	Pagination offset. Default is 0. Default: `0`
take	number	No	Pagination size. Default is 200. Default: `200`
responseDetail	string	No	compact returns results and actionable state. full adds diagnostic metadata under responseDiagnostics. Default: `"compact"`

Examples

Replace sample paths and symbol keys with values from your workspace.

Find likely-unused private members

Arguments 
{
  "accessibility": "Private,Internal"
}

Full MCP request

Full MCP request 
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "find_unused_symbols",
    "arguments": {
      "accessibility": "Private,Internal"
    }
  }
}

Illustrative response 
{
  "success": true,
  "totalCount": 2,
  "paging": {
    "total": 2
  },
  "items": [
    {
      "name": "BuildCache",
      "kind": "Field",
      "containingType": "SolutionManager",
      "symbolKey": "...",
      "filePath": "/path/to/SolutionManager.cs",
      "lineNumber": 18,
      "accessibility": "Private"
    }
  ],
  "summary": {
    "byKind": [
      {
        "key": "Field",
        "count": 1
      },
      {
        "key": "Method",
        "count": 1
      }
    ]
  }
}

Summarize unused methods in one project

Arguments 
{
  "kinds": "Method",
  "scope": {
    "mode": "project",
    "projectName": "MyProject"
  },
  "summaryOnly": true
}

Full MCP request

Full MCP request 
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "find_unused_symbols",
    "arguments": {
      "kinds": "Method",
      "scope": {
        "mode": "project",
        "projectName": "MyProject"
      },
      "summaryOnly": true
    }
  }
}

Response Notes

Returns likely-unused source symbols, optionally summarized by kind and project Results use top-level fields with success. Compact is the default; full adds responseDiagnostics. Both modes retain errors, coverage, partial state, and recovery advice.