importscope inspect

Use this after analyze when you want a precise answer from a saved snapshot.

importscope inspect module importscope.cli
importscope inspect edge importscope.cli importscope.app
importscope inspect path importscope.cli importscope.renderers
importscope inspect path importscope.cli importscope.renderers --highlight
importscope inspect cycle
importscope inspect symbol analyze_repo

Default Behavior

When run without --snapshot, inspect reads:

• .cache/importscope/analysis_snapshot.json

So the shortest common flow is:

importscope analyze --format json
importscope inspect path mypackage.api mypackage.core --highlight

Useful flags:

• --snapshot: path to the saved analysis_snapshot.json Default: .cache/importscope/analysis_snapshot.json

Subcommands:

• module <name>: inspect one module
• edge <source> <target>: inspect one directed edge
• path <source> <target>: inspect paths between two modules
• cycle: list cycle components
• symbol <name>: inspect a symbol definition and its references

Extra path flag:

• --max-paths: cap how many paths are returned
• --highlight: render the selected path graph next to the snapshot using a default output name
• --graph-out: render the selected path back onto a labeled module graph
• --graph-format: choose svg, dot, or both for the path graph artifact
• --path-index: choose which returned path to highlight when more than one exists

Use inspect when:

• you want one precise module-to-module path
• you want to verify a suspicious edge from the graph
• you want to inspect cycles without reading the whole report
• you want to see where one symbol is imported
• you want a graph artifact with one path highlighted instead of scanning the whole module graph manually

Path Graphs

inspect path can now render one selected path back onto the labeled module graph.

Basic usage:

importscope inspect \
  path importscope.cli importscope.renderers \
  --highlight

This writes:

• .cache/importscope/path_importscope.cli__to__importscope.renderers.svg

Use --highlight when the default snapshot path is fine and you just want the highlighted graph quickly.

If you want a custom output name or location:

importscope inspect \
  path importscope.cli importscope.renderers \
  --graph-out .cache/importscope/cli-to-renderers

If you also want the intermediate DOT source:

importscope inspect \
  path importscope.cli importscope.renderers \
  --highlight \
  --graph-format both

When multiple paths exist, inspect them first and then pick one:

importscope inspect \
  path importscope.cli importscope.renderers \
  --max-paths 5

Then render a specific path:

importscope inspect \
  path importscope.cli importscope.renderers \
  --max-paths 5 \
  --path-index 1 \
  --highlight

The rendered graph keeps the normal module grouping and labels, but highlights the selected path with stronger node and edge styling.

Example highlighted path graph:

Typical examples:

importscope inspect module importscope.cli
importscope inspect path importscope.cli importscope.renderers
importscope inspect path importscope.cli importscope.renderers --highlight
importscope inspect cycle