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Compose one evidence bundle before editing a file or exported symbol. inspect is designed for agents that need the same context as the MCP inspect_target tool without starting an MCP session. 
fallow inspect --file src/api.ts --format json --quiet
fallow inspect --symbol src/api.ts:fetchUser --format json --quiet

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Target

Choose exactly one target form:
FlagDescription
--file <PATH>Inspect a project-relative file.
--symbol <FILE:EXPORT>Inspect one exported symbol, for example src/api.ts:fetchUser. Supporting dead-code, duplication, complexity, and security evidence is file-scoped in the first version.

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Output

FormatDescription
humanCompact target and identity summary.
jsonMachine-readable kind: "inspect_target" bundle with normalized target identity and evidence sections. Use this from agents.
$ fallow inspect --file src/api.ts --format json --quiet
{
  "kind": "inspect_target",
  "target": {
    "type": "file",
    "file": "src/api.ts"
  },
  "identity": {
    "file": "src/api.ts",
    "is_reachable": true,
    "is_entry_point": false,
    "export_count": 3,
    "import_count": 2,
    "imported_by_count": 1
  },
  "evidence": {
    "trace_file": { "status": "ok", "scope": "file", "data": {} },
    "dead_code": { "status": "ok", "scope": "file", "data": {} },
    "duplication": { "status": "ok", "scope": "project_filtered_to_file", "data": {} },
    "complexity": { "status": "ok", "scope": "project_filtered_to_file", "data": {} },
    "security": { "status": "ok", "scope": "file", "data": {} }
  },
  "warnings": []
}
Each evidence section carries a status (ok or error) and scope. Non-fatal child-analysis failures are reported as section-level errors plus a warning, so the caller can still use the rest of the bundle.

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Common Flags

inspect accepts the global project and performance flags:
FlagDescription
-r, --root <PATH>Project root directory.
-c, --config <PATH>Path to a fallow config file.
-w, --workspace <PATTERNS>Scope analysis to selected workspace packages.
--productionApply production mode to trace, dead-code, and health evidence.
--no-cacheDisable incremental parse cache.
--threads <N>Parser thread count.

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MCP Parity

The MCP inspect_target tool uses the same CLI flow and returns the same JSON shape. Prefer the CLI when you are already in a shell or editor command, and MCP when an agent is already connected to the server.