noctcore-architecture/max-import-depth

A relative import may not climb more than max parent levels (default 3). Autofixed to a path alias when one is configured.

Recommended preset: error · Autofix: yes · Suggestions: no · Type information: not needed

Why

A relative import that climbs several directories (../../../../shared/log) is brittle and hard to read: it couples the file to its exact position in the tree, so moving either end breaks the path. A path alias (@/shared/log) is stable and self-locating. This rule caps how far a relative import may reach before it must become an alias.

What it flags

Any relative specifier whose leading .. run exceeds max is reported, on every source-carrying construct: import, import(), export … from, and export * from.

Incorrect

// max: 3 (default)
import b from '../../../../shared/log'; // climbs 4 levels

Correct

import a from '../../../shared';        // exactly at the limit

Autofix

When alias maps a directory-anchor segment to an alias prefix, a too-deep import that resolves through that anchor is autofixed:

'noctcore-architecture/max-import-depth': ['error', {
  alias: { src: '@' },
}]

Incorrect · src/a/b/c/d/deep.ts

// rule options: {"alias":{"src":"@"}}
// autofixes to: import x from '@/shared/log';
import x from '../../../../shared/log';

Correct · src/a/b/c/d/deep.ts

// rule options: {"alias":{"src":"@"}}
import x from '@/shared/log';

With no matching alias anchor on the resolved path, the violation is reported without a fix — there is nothing safe to rewrite it to.

What it does not flag

• A relative import at or under the limit, including ./local.
• Alias and bare-package specifiers (@/shared, react): they never climb.
• Deeper climbs once max is raised to cover them.

Options

Option	Type	Default	Meaning
max	integer	3	Maximum number of .. parent hops a relative import may take.
alias	Record<string, string>	{}	Map of directory-anchor segment → alias prefix used to autofix, e.g. { src: '@' }.

'noctcore-architecture/max-import-depth': ['error', {
  max: 3,
  alias: { src: '@' },
}]

When not to use it

If you do not use path aliases and genuinely prefer deep relative imports, raise max or leave the rule off.