dignified-python

@dignified-python-core.md

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

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

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

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