Collect your thoughts and notes without leaving the command line.
This report summarizes scanner evidence for jrnl-org/jrnl, a Python project with 7,340 GitHub stars. SynthScan examined 19,769 lines of code across 189 source files, recording 165 pattern matches distributed across 12 syntactic categories. The legacy adjusted pattern signal is 10.0 (Moderate pattern signal); it is not an authorship estimate.
Use the findings to ask whether maintainers can explain intent, verify dependencies, simplify unnecessary scaffolding, and focus review effort. Risk Payload v1 adds ownership, supply-chain, over-engineering, and review-effort vectors when available. These are prompts for human verification, not probabilities, security findings, or measured maintenance costs.
Use each vector to guide manual verification of the underlying findings.
Can maintainers explain intent, assumptions, and trade-offs? 108 finding(s).
Are imports declared and package/API names verified? 50 finding(s).
Are wrappers, guards, and repeated structures necessary? 101 finding(s).
Which changes need focused human review? 165 finding(s).
This chart tracks the legacy adjusted pattern score across scan runs. Changes can reflect source changes, scan coverage, or detector/scoring versions; they do not measure AI adoption or prove that a team refactored code. Compare runs only when their scoring versions are compatible. The dashed line tracks the raw pattern-hit count.
Groups findings by configured severity weight. Severity is not a confidence estimate, security rating, or proof that a package is missing. Verify imports against the project's manifests and inspect each finding in its local design context.
This horizontal bar chart shows where configured pattern scores accumulate across directories. Treat the bars as locations to inspect, not as evidence of authorship or code quality. Use the file-level findings to decide whether a directory needs a focused ownership, dependency, complexity, or review check.
The scanner identified 165 distinct pattern matches across 12 syntactic categories. Each entry below represents a discrete location in the source code where the engine recorded a detector match to inspect in context. Expand any category row to inspect the individual file paths, line numbers, code snippets, and the lexical context (CODE, COMMENT, or STRING) in which each match was detected.
Reading the findings table: The Severity column indicates the configured finding weight (CRITICAL / HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW). The Context column identifies whether the match occurred inside executable code, an inline comment, or a string literal — legacy comment-context matches receive a ×1.5 score weight. The ⚡ bolt icon marks clustered matches: three or more patterns within a 10-line window, each receiving an additional ×1.5 density multiplier under the legacy scoring model.
| Severity | File | Line | Snippet | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOW | jrnl/color.py | 50 | def highlight_tags_with_background_color( | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/controller.py | 107 | def _perform_actions_on_search_results(**kwargs): | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/controller.py | 274 | def _print_entries_found_count(count: int, args: "Namespace") -> None: | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/controller.py | 391 | def _change_time_search_results( | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/config.py | 196 | def apply_config_updates_in_place( | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/config.py | 213 | def flush_pending_config_updates( | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/config.py | 249 | def cmd_requires_valid_journal_name(func: Callable) -> Callable: | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/output.py | 121 | def _add_extra_style_args_if_needed(args: dict, msg: Message): | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/override.py | 41 | def _get_key_and_value_from_pair(pairs: dict) -> tuple: | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/encryption/__init__.py | 18 | def determine_encryption_method_for_writing( | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/util.py | 43 | def get_journal_frequency_nested(journal: "Journal") -> NestedDict: | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/util.py | 56 | def get_journal_frequency_one_level(journal: "Journal") -> Counter: | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/fancy_exporter.py | 108 | def check_provided_linewrap_viability( | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/Journal.py | 93 | def _reconfigure_encryption_method(self, force_new_password: bool = False) -> None: | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/Journal.py | 505 | def increment_change_counts_by_edit(self, mod_entries: Entry) -> None: | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/DayOneJournal.py | 183 | def _get_and_remove_uuid_from_entry(self, entry: Entry) -> Entry: | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_time.py | 11 | def test_default_hour_is_added(): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_time.py | 17 | def test_default_minute_is_added(): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_config_file.py | 20 | def test_find_alt_config_not_exist(request): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_editor.py | 22 | def test_read_template_file_with_no_file_raises_exception(mock_open, mock_getcwd): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_editor.py | 32 | def test_read_template_file_with_valid_file_returns_text(mock_file, mock_getcwd): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_editor.py | 36 | def test_get_template_path_when_exists_returns_correct_path(): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_editor.py | 44 | def test_get_template_path_when_doesnt_exist_returns_correct_path(mock_absolute_paths): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_editor.py | 72 | def test_read_stdin_text_when_stdin_does_not_support_reconfigure(): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_journals_folder_journal.py | 44 | def test_get_day_files_expected_filtering(inputs_and_outputs): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_journals_folder_journal.py | 64 | def test_dateless_timeformat_preserves_same_day_entries(tmp_path): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_os_compat.py | 72 | def test_split_args_on_windows(args): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_os_compat.py | 88 | def test_split_args_on_not_windows(args): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_output.py | 12 | def test_print_msg_calls_print_msgs_as_list_with_style(print_msgs): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_output.py | 19 | def test_print_msg_calls_print_msgs_with_kwargs(print_msgs): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_jrnlv3_encryption.py | 31 | def test_unique_salts_per_encrypt(self, encryption): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_jrnlv3_encryption.py | 38 | def test_header_salt_is_correct_length(self, encryption): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_jrnlv3_encryption.py | 44 | def test_wrong_password_returns_none(self, encryption): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_jrnlv3_encryption.py | 65 | def test_oversized_header_raises(self, encryption, monkeypatch): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_jrnlv3_encryption.py | 91 | def test_decrypt_supports_legacy_raw_json_header(self, encryption): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_parse_args.py | 163 | def test_limit_shorthand_alone(): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_parse_args.py | 195 | def test_today_in_history_alone(): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_parse_args.py | 297 | def test_deserialize_multiword_strings(self, input_str): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_parse_args.py | 303 | def test_deserialize_multiple_datatypes(self): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_jrnlv1_encryption.py | 53 | def test_decrypt_correct_password(self): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_jrnlv1_encryption.py | 62 | def test_decrypt_wrong_password_returns_none(self): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_jrnlv1_encryption.py | 69 | def test_decrypt_ancient_space_padded(self): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_jrnlv1_encryption.py | 88 | def test_encrypt_not_implemented(self): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_override.py | 61 | def test_override_dot_notation(minimal_config): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_override.py | 108 | def test_sequential_delimiters(self): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_path.py | 43 | def test_expand_path_actually_expands_mac_linux(path): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_path.py | 53 | def test_expand_path_actually_expands_windows(path): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_path.py | 65 | def test_expand_path_expands_into_correct_value_mac_linux(paths): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_path.py | 78 | def test_expand_path_expands_into_correct_value_windows(paths): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_path.py | 85 | def test_expand_path_expands_into_random_env_value_mac_linux(_, random_test_var): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_path.py | 94 | def test_expand_path_expands_into_random_env_value_windows(_, random_test_var): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_path.py | 111 | def test_atomic_write_creates_new_file(tmp_path): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_path.py | 122 | def test_atomic_write_replaces_existing_file(tmp_path): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_path.py | 134 | def test_atomic_write_leaves_original_untouched_on_failure(tmp_path, monkeypatch): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_install.py | 13 | def test_initialize_autocomplete_runs_without_readline(): | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_export.py | 37 | def test_export_to_nonexisting_folder(self, mock_open): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_controller.py | 22 | def test_similar_tag_detected(self): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_controller.py | 26 | def test_exact_match_not_flagged(self): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_controller.py | 34 | def test_dissimilar_tags_not_flagged(self): | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_controller.py | 38 | def test_multiple_new_tags_checked(self): | CODE |
| 31 more matches not shown… | ||||
| Severity | File | Line | Snippet | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOW | jrnl/exception.py | 9 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/exception.py | 10 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/color.py | 14 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/controller.py | 31 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/controller.py | 33 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/controller.py | 34 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/config.py | 27 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/override.py | 10 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/encryption/__init__.py | 8 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/messages/Message.py | 11 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/jrnl_importer.py | 14 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/calendar_heatmap_exporter.py | 19 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/calendar_heatmap_exporter.py | 20 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/calendar_heatmap_exporter.py | 21 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/util.py | 8 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/text_exporter.py | 16 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/text_exporter.py | 17 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/json_exporter.py | 11 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/json_exporter.py | 12 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/dates_exporter.py | 10 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/dates_exporter.py | 11 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/fancy_exporter.py | 16 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/fancy_exporter.py | 17 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/yaml_exporter.py | 16 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/yaml_exporter.py | 17 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/xml_exporter.py | 11 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/xml_exporter.py | 12 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/tag_exporter.py | 10 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/tag_exporter.py | 11 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/markdown_exporter.py | 15 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/markdown_exporter.py | 16 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/__init__.py | 1 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/__init__.py | 2 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/__init__.py | 3 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/__init__.py | 4 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/__init__.py | 5 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/FolderJournal.py | 15 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/Entry.py | 16 | CODE |
| Severity | File | Line | Snippet | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIGH | jrnl/editor.py | 66 | except AttributeError: | CODE |
| HIGH | jrnl/journals/DayOneJournal.py | 55 | except self.PLIST_EXCEPTIONS: | CODE |
| HIGH | tests/lib/when_steps.py | 66 | except StopIteration: | CODE |
| Severity | File | Line | Snippet | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_parse_args.py | 153 | assert cli_as_dict("--file 'lorem ipsum.txt'") == expected_args( | CODE |
| LOW⚡ | tests/unit/test_parse_args.py | 154 | filename="lorem ipsum.txt" | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_parse_args.py | 221 | assert cli_as_dict("lorem ipsum dolor sit amet") == expected_args( | CODE |
| LOW | tests/unit/test_parse_args.py | 221 | assert cli_as_dict("lorem ipsum dolor sit amet") == expected_args( | CODE |
| LOW | tests/data/journals/basic_folder/2020/08/29.txt | 2 | Lorem @ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent malesuada | CODE |
| LOW | tests/data/journals/basic_folder/2020/08/29.txt | 16 | Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam eu ligula eget | CODE |
| LOW | tests/data/journals/basic_folder/2020/08/29.txt | 16 | Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam eu ligula eget | CODE |
| LOW | tests/data/journals/basic_folder/2020/08/31.txt | 3 | vitae tempus. Donec eleifend nec mi non volutpat. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, | CODE |
| LOW | tests/data/journals/basic_folder/2020/08/31.txt | 3 | vitae tempus. Donec eleifend nec mi non volutpat. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, | CODE |
| LOW | docs/formats.md | 13 | Any of these formats can be used with a search (e.g. `jrnl -contains "lorem ipsum" | CODE |
| LOW | .github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yaml | 59 | placeholder: "example: `jrnl --debug lorem ipsum`" | CODE |
| Severity | File | Line | Snippet | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOW | jrnl/controller.py | 410 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/calendar_heatmap_exporter.py | 35 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/text_exporter.py | 60 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/yaml_exporter.py | 28 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/markdown_exporter.py | 26 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/DayOneJournal.py | 45 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/DayOneJournal.py | 194 | CODE | |
| LOW | tests/conftest.py | 18 | CODE | |
| LOW | tests/lib/then_steps.py | 379 | CODE | |
| LOW | tests/lib/then_steps.py | 407 | CODE |
| Severity | File | Line | Snippet | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIUM | jrnl/path.py | 48 | # Create the directory if needed. | COMMENT |
| MEDIUM | jrnl/journals/FolderJournal.py | 62 | # Create a list of dates of modified entries. Start with diff_entry_dates | COMMENT |
| Severity | File | Line | Snippet | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/dates_exporter.py | 29 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/plugins/markdown_exporter.py | 96 | CODE | |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/Journal.py | 328 | CODE |
| Severity | File | Line | Snippet | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIGH | tests/unit/test_jrnlv1_encryption.py | 26 | """Produce a v1-format ciphertext: IV || AES-CBC(PKCS7(plaintext)).""" | STRING |
| Severity | File | Line | Snippet | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOW | jrnl/time.py | 60 | except Exception as e: | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/main.py | 60 | except Exception as e: | CODE |
| Severity | File | Line | Snippet | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOW | jrnl/keyring.py | 21 | def set_keyring_password(password: str, journal_name: str = "default") -> None: | CODE |
| LOW | jrnl/journals/DayOneJournal.py | 175 | def _update_old_entry(self, entry: Entry, new_entry: Entry) -> None: | CODE |
| Severity | File | Line | Snippet | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOW | tests/lib/fixtures.py | 93 | # Check if we need more mocks | COMMENT |
| Severity | File | Line | Snippet | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOW | .github/lock.yml | 21 | the conversation. | COMMENT |