| name | python-code-context |
| description | Load Python API surfaces into context using api-squash before working on code. Provides a structured workflow for gathering codebase structure — class hierarchies, function signatures, and module layout — so you can reason about a Python project without reading every source file. Covers scope selection (file vs project), flag selection (docstrings, private methods, public-only filtering, signature wrapping, depth), and when to drill deeper. |
| license | MIT License |
| metadata | {"skill-author":"b-j-karl"} |
Python Code Context
Use api-squash to load Python API surfaces into your context so you can
reason about codebase structure without reading every source file.
CLI reference: For command syntax, flags, and output format details,
see the api-squash-cli skill.
When to use
- Loading structural context before generating code in a Python project
- Understanding what classes, functions, and signatures exist before writing
tests or making changes
- Orienting yourself in an unfamiliar Python codebase
- Answering "what does this project expose?" or "how is this structured?"
- Preparing context before a code review or refactor
- Reducing token costs — api-squash typically cuts output by 60–90% compared
to reading full source files
When not to use
- Non-Python projects
- Tasks where you already have sufficient context
- When the user explicitly asks to read full source files
Workflow
Step 1 — Decide scope
Before running anything, decide what you need:
| You need to… | Run |
|---|
| Understand one module | api-squash file <path> |
| Survey a whole project or package | api-squash project <path> |
| Get a high-level overview only | api-squash project --max-depth 1 --no-docstrings <path> |
| Minimise tokens (large codebase) | api-squash project --no-docstrings --no-private <path> |
| Focus on public API only | api-squash project --no-private <path> |
Only strict __all__ exports | api-squash project --public-only <path> |
Step 2 — Run api-squash and read the output
Run the appropriate command and read the output directly. The output is
Markdown that lists every class and function signature in the target.
If api-squash is not on PATH, use uvx api-squash instead.
api-squash project --no-private src/
Do not save to a file unless the user asks — read the stdout directly.
Step 3 — Use the context
Now that you have the API surface loaded, proceed with the user's actual task
(code generation, test writing, refactoring, review, etc.) using the
structural knowledge you've gained.
Decision guide
When to use file vs project
file — you already know which module matters (e.g. the user pointed at
a specific file, or you're writing tests for one module)project — you need cross-module awareness (e.g. understanding imports,
finding the right class to extend, planning a refactor across packages)
When to strip docstrings / private methods
- Keep docstrings when you need to understand what functions do (writing
tests, answering usage questions)
- Strip docstrings (
--no-docstrings) when you only need the shape of the
API (planning, architecture, finding the right hook point)
- Strip private (
--no-private) when you only care about the public
interface (integration work, SDK consumers)
--public-only vs --no-private
Both flags reduce output size but filter differently:
--no-private removes _-prefixed names but keeps __init__ and any
private items referenced by public signatures.--public-only filters to only names listed in __all__. Modules
without __all__ are unaffected.
Use --no-private to hide implementation internals while keeping the full
exported interface. Use --public-only when you need only what the module
explicitly declares as its public API.
When to limit depth
--max-depth 1 for a quick top-level orientation in a large project- No depth limit when you need the full picture
Anti-patterns
- Don't skip this step. Reading individual files one by one wastes tokens
and misses the big picture. Run api-squash first, then drill into specific
files only if needed.
- Don't dump everything. For large codebases, start with
--max-depth 1 --no-docstrings and drill deeper only into relevant
packages.
- Don't save to a file by default. Read the output directly — saving
creates cleanup work and the output is already compact.
