# tropius: detect AI tropes in prose

> Source: <https://tangled.org/desertthunder.dev/tropius>
> Published: 2026-06-25 09:23:21+00:00

# tropius[#](#tropius)

`tropius`

is a CLI to detect AI tropes in prose.

## How[#](#how)

We use a pattern dictionary in TOML based on a [trope list](/desertthunder.dev/tropius/tree/main/meta/tropes.md)
from [Tropes.fyi](https://tropes.fyi)

```
Text
  ↓
Aho-Corasick phrase matcher
  ↓
Structural, repetition, and character-class detectors
  ↓
Findings report
```

## Usage[#](#usage)

Scan text from stdin:

```
printf 'Let us delve into this robust ecosystem.' | cargo run -q -p tropius-cli
```

Scan article text extracted from a live URL with
[lectito](https://lectito.stormlightlabs.org/):

```
# Install lectito
cargo install lectito-cli

lectito 'https://www.solo.io/blog/what-is-agent-identity-human-workload-a-new-layer' \
    --format text \
    | cargo run -q -p tropius-cli
```

The CLI exits `0`

when no findings are found and `1`

when it finds trope signals.

It exits `2`

for usage or configuration errors.

Color output respects [ NO_COLOR](https://no-color.org/).

## Coverage[#](#coverage)

- an implementation path for every source section in
`tropes.md`

- phrase patterns for literal trope signals
- structural detectors for sentence and paragraph shape
- repetition detectors for repeated metaphor terms and duplicated content
- markdown-aware detection for bold-first bullets
- character-class detection for Unicode decoration

## Inspiration[#](#inspiration)

I got nerd-sniped on [BlueSky](https://bsky.app/profile/samuel.fm/post/3mp3l3cxg622y)

[Samuel - @samuel.fm]2026-06-25 04:16“Claudesmell” labeller for

[standard.site]records wen

[owais - @desertthunder.dev]2026-06-25 04:18what does claudesmell mean here

[Samuel - @samuel.fm]2026-06-25 04:22smells of claude, e.g. short, punchy yet needlessly florid prose, excessive claudeisms, it’s not just x it’s y etc

[owais - @desertthunder.dev]2026-06-25 04:26You know that feeling of nerd-sniping about to happen? I gotta use aho-corasick +

[tropes.fyi]in some way