Dignified Python Coding Standards

Core Knowledge (ALWAYS Loaded)

@dignified-python-core.md

Version Detection

Identify the project's minimum Python version by checking (in order):

1. pyproject.toml

   - Look for

   requires-python

   field (e.g.,

   requires-python = ">=3.12"

   )

2. setup.py

   or

   setup.cfg

   - Look for

   python_requires

3. .python-version

   file - Contains version like

   3.12

   or

   3.12.0

4. Default to Python 3.12 if no version specifier found

Once identified, load the appropriate version-specific file:

• Python 3.10: Load

  versions/python-3.10.md

• Python 3.11: Load

  versions/python-3.11.md

• Python 3.12: Load

  versions/python-3.12.md

• Python 3.13: Load

  versions/python-3.13.md

Conditional Loading (Load Based on Task Patterns)

Core files above cover 80%+ of Python code patterns. Only load these additional files when you detect specific patterns:

Pattern detection examples:

• If task mentions "click" or "CLI" -> Load

  cli-patterns.md

• If task mentions "subprocess" -> Load

  subprocess.md

When to Read Each Reference Document

The

references/

directory contains detailed guidance for specialized topics. Load these on-demand when you encounter relevant patterns:

references/exception-handling.md

Read when:

• Writing try/except blocks
• Wrapping third-party APIs that may raise
• Seeing or writing

  from e

  or

  from None

• Unsure if LBYL alternative exists

references/interfaces.md

Read when:

• Creating ABC or Protocol classes
• Writing @abstractmethod decorators
• Designing gateway layer interfaces
• Choosing between ABC and Protocol

references/typing-advanced.md

Read when:

• Using typing.cast()
• Creating Literal type aliases
• Narrowing types in conditional blocks

references/module-design.md

Read when:

• Creating new Python modules
• Adding module-level code (beyond simple constants)
• Using @cache decorator at module level
• Seeing Path() or computation at module level
• Considering inline imports

references/api-design.md

Read when:

• Adding default parameter values to functions
• Defining functions with 5 or more parameters
• Using ThreadPoolExecutor.submit()
• Reviewing function signatures

references/checklists.md

Read when:

• Final review before committing Python code
• Unsure if you've followed all rules
• Need a quick lookup of requirements

How to Use This Skill

1. Core knowledge is loaded automatically (LBYL, pathlib, basic imports, anti-patterns)
2. Version detection happens once - identify the minimum Python version and load the appropriate version file
3. Reference documents are loaded on-demand based on the triggers above
4. Additional patterns may require extra loading (CLI patterns, subprocess)
5. Each file is self-contained with complete guidance for its domain