tuist graph

Generate and visualize dependency graphs

Overview

The tuist graph command generates a visual representation of your project’s dependency graph. It analyzes the relationships between targets and outputs the graph in various formats including images (PNG, SVG) and structured data (DOT, JSON).

Usage

tuist graph [targets...] [options]

Arguments

targets · string[]

A list of targets to filter. Only those targets and their dependent targets will be shown in the graph. If no targets are specified, all targets are included.

Options

--format · string · default: "png"

Output format for the graph. Available formats:

• png - PNG image (default)
• svg - SVG vector image
• dot - GraphViz DOT format (plain text)
• json - JSON representation
• legacyJSON - Legacy JSON format

-f · string

Short form of --format.

--algorithm · string · default: "dot"

GraphViz layout algorithm to use. Available algorithms:

• dot - Hierarchical layout (default, best for directed graphs)
• neato - Spring model layout
• twopi - Radial layout
• circo - Circular layout
• fdp - Force-directed layout
• sfdp - Scaled force-directed layout (for large graphs)
• patchwork - Squarified tree map layout

-a · string

Short form of --algorithm.

--skip-test-targets · boolean · default: "false"

Skip test targets during graph rendering.

-t · boolean

Short form of --skip-test-targets.

--skip-external-dependencies · boolean · default: "false"

Skip external dependencies (like Swift packages) in the graph.

-d · boolean

Short form of --skip-external-dependencies.

--platform · string

Filter targets by platform. Only targets for this platform will be shown. Available platforms: ios, macos, tvos, watchos.

-l · string

Short form of --platform.

--no-open · boolean · default: "false"

Don’t open the generated file automatically. By default, the graph opens after generation.

--path · string · default: "."

The path to the directory that contains the project.

-p · string

Short form of --path.

--output-path · string · default: "."

The path where the graph will be generated.

-o · string

Short form of --output-path.

Examples

Generate default graph

tuist graph

Generates a PNG image of the complete dependency graph and opens it automatically.

Generate SVG graph

tuist graph --format svg

Creates a scalable vector graphics file of the dependency graph.

Generate DOT format

tuist graph --format dot

Outputs the graph in GraphViz DOT format, useful for processing with other tools.

Export to JSON

tuist graph --format json

Exports the graph structure as JSON for programmatic analysis.

Focus on specific targets

tuist graph App AppKit

Generates a graph showing only App, AppKit, and their dependencies.

Skip test targets

tuist graph --skip-test-targets

Creates a graph excluding all test targets for a cleaner view.

Skip external dependencies

tuist graph --skip-external-dependencies

Generates a graph without external dependencies like Swift packages.

Filter by platform

tuist graph --platform ios

Shows only iOS targets and their dependencies.

Use different layout algorithm

tuist graph --algorithm circo

Generates a circular layout, useful for showing cyclical dependencies.

Large graph optimization

tuist graph --algorithm sfdp --skip-test-targets

Uses the scaled force-directed algorithm, optimized for large graphs.

Save without opening

tuist graph --no-open --output-path ~/graphs/

Saves the graph to a specific location without opening it.

Complex filtering

tuist graph MyFeature --skip-test-targets --skip-external-dependencies --platform ios

Generates a focused graph for MyFeature on iOS, excluding tests and external dependencies.

Graph visualization

The generated graph shows:

• Nodes: Represent targets in your project
• Edges: Show dependencies between targets
• Colors: Different node colors may indicate target types
• Direction: Arrows show the dependency direction (A → B means A depends on B)

Layout algorithms guide

Choosing the right algorithm depends on your graph structure:

• dot: Best for most projects, creates a hierarchical top-to-bottom layout
• neato: Good for small to medium graphs with no clear hierarchy
• circo: Useful for visualizing circular dependencies or feedback loops
• sfdp: Recommended for very large graphs (100+ targets)
• twopi: Creates a radial layout with one root node at the center
• fdp: Similar to neato but with different force calculations
• patchwork: Creates a space-filling layout, useful for showing relative sizes

Use cases

Understand dependencies

Visualize how targets depend on each other:

tuist graph

Detect circular dependencies

Use circular layout to identify dependency cycles:

tuist graph --algorithm circo

Architecture review

Generate clean graphs for documentation or code review:

tuist graph --skip-test-targets --format svg

Analyze feature modules

Focus on specific feature dependencies:

tuist graph FeatureLogin FeatureProfile --skip-external-dependencies

Export for tooling

Generate JSON for custom analysis scripts:

tuist graph --format json --no-open --output-path analysis/

For large projects, combine --skip-test-targets and --skip-external-dependencies to create more readable graphs. You can also focus on specific targets to reduce complexity.

The dot format output can be processed with GraphViz tools for custom visualization or integrated into documentation pipelines.

Related

• Project structure guide
• Dependencies documentation
• Generate command