> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fallow.tools/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# fallow explain

> CLI reference for fallow explain. Print rule rationale, examples, fix guidance, and docs links for one issue type without running analysis.

Explain one issue type without running analysis. This is useful for agents and CI bots that need a compact rule guide before deciding whether to fix, suppress, or configure a finding.

```bash theme={null}
fallow explain unused-export
fallow explain fallow/code-duplication --format json --quiet
```

## Arguments

| Argument       | Description                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| :------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `<issue-type>` | Issue type token or rule id, for example `unused-export`, `fallow/unused-dependency`, `high-complexity`, or `code-duplication`. Common plural aliases such as `unused-exports` are accepted. |

## Output

| Format  | Description                                                         |
| :------ | :------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `human` | Rule id, summary, rationale, example, fix guidance, and docs URL.   |
| `json`  | Machine-readable object with the same fields. Use this from agents. |

```json title="$ fallow explain unused-export --format json --quiet" theme={null}
{
  "id": "fallow/unused-export",
  "name": "Unused Exports",
  "summary": "Export is never imported",
  "rationale": "Named exports that are never imported by any other module in the project. Includes both direct exports and re-exports through barrel files. The export may still be used locally within the same file.",
  "example": "export const formatPrice = ... exists in src/money.ts, but no module imports formatPrice.",
  "how_to_fix": "Remove the export or make it file-local. If it is public API, import it from an entry point or add an intentional suppression with context.",
  "docs": "https://docs.fallow.tools/explanations/dead-code#unused-exports"
}
```

## MCP tool

The `fallow_explain` MCP tool wraps `fallow explain <issue-type> --format json --quiet`:

```json title="Example request" theme={null}
{
  "tool": "fallow_explain",
  "arguments": {
    "issue_type": "unused-export"
  }
}
```

Use it when an agent needs rule-specific context before applying a fix or suppression.