dignified-python

Original：🇺🇸 English

Translated

Python coding standards with automatic version detection. Use when writing, reviewing, or refactoring Python to ensure adherence to LBYL exception handling patterns, modern type syntax (list[str], str | None), pathlib operations, ABC-based interfaces, absolute imports, and explicit error boundaries at CLI level. Also provides production-tested code smell patterns from Dagster Labs for API design, parameter complexity, and code organization. Essential for maintaining erk's dignified Python standards.

2installs

Sourcedagster-io/erk

Added on2026-03-03

NPX Install

npx skill4agent add dagster-io/erk dignified-python

SKILL.md Content

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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):

pyproject.toml

- Look for

requires-python

field (e.g.,

requires-python = ">=3.12"

)

```
setup.py
```
or
```
setup.cfg
```
- Look for
```
python_requires
```
```
.python-version
```
file - Contains version like
```
3.12
```
or
```
3.12.0
```
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

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

dignified-python

NPX Install

Tags

SKILL.md Content

Dignified Python Coding Standards

Core Knowledge (ALWAYS Loaded)

Version Detection

Conditional Loading (Load Based on Task Patterns)

When to Read Each Reference Document

`references/exception-handling.md`

`references/interfaces.md`

`references/typing-advanced.md`

`references/module-design.md`

`references/api-design.md`

`references/checklists.md`

How to Use This Skill