| name | add-function |
| description | Guide for adding new functions to the library. Use this when implementing new API wrappers or utility functions. |
Adding New Functions
This skill covers the workflow for adding new functions to the Semantic Link Labs library.
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when you need to:
- Add a new API wrapper function
- Create a new utility function
- Extend existing functionality with new features
- Add functions to submodules (admin, report, lakehouse, etc.)
Function Categories
| Category | Location | Purpose |
|---|
| Top-level functions | src/sempy_labs/_*.py | Main library exports |
| Admin functions | src/sempy_labs/admin/ | Admin API operations |
| Report functions | src/sempy_labs/report/ | Report operations |
| Lakehouse functions | src/sempy_labs/lakehouse/ | Lakehouse operations |
| Direct Lake functions | src/sempy_labs/directlake/ | Direct Lake model operations |
| TOM methods | src/sempy_labs/tom/_model.py | TOMWrapper class methods |
Step 0: Find the API Documentation
Before implementing an API wrapper, find the relevant API documentation:
cd .claude/skills/rest-api-patterns/scripts
python search_public_api_doc.py "your search query"
python search_public_api_doc.py "workspace users" --source fabric
python search_public_api_doc.py "dataset refresh" --source powerbi
See the REST API Patterns skill for more details.
Step 1: Choose the Right Location
Top-Level Function
For general-purpose functions exported from sempy_labs:
Submodule Function
For functions belonging to a specific domain:
Step 2: Create the Function
Required Imports
import pandas as pd
from typing import Optional, List
from uuid import UUID
from sempy._utils._log import log
from sempy_labs._helper_functions import (
resolve_workspace_name_and_id,
resolve_workspace_id,
_base_api,
_create_dataframe,
)
import sempy_labs._icons as icons
Function Template
@log
def my_new_function(
item: str | UUID,
workspace: Optional[str | UUID] = None,
option: str = "default",
) -> pd.DataFrame:
"""
Short description of what the function does.
Extended description with more details about the function's behavior,
use cases, and any important notes.
This is a wrapper function for the following API: `API Name <https://learn.microsoft.com/rest/api/...>`_.
Service Principal Authentication is supported (see `here <https://github.com/microsoft/semantic-link-labs/blob/main/notebooks/Service%20Principal.ipynb>`_ for examples).
Parameters
----------
item : str | uuid.UUID
The name or ID of the item.
workspace : str | uuid.UUID, default=None
The Fabric workspace name or ID.
Defaults to None which resolves to the workspace of the attached lakehouse
or if no lakehouse attached, resolves to the workspace of the notebook.
option : str, default="default"
An option that controls function behavior.
Returns
-------
pandas.DataFrame
A pandas dataframe showing the results.
Columns include: 'Column1', 'Column2', 'Column3'.
Raises
------
ValueError
If the item does not exist.
FabricHTTPException
If the API request fails.
"""
(workspace_name, workspace_id) = resolve_workspace_name_and_id(workspace)
columns = {
"Column1": "string",
"Column2": "string",
"Column3": "int",
}
df = _create_dataframe(columns=columns)
responses = _base_api(
request=f"/v1/workspaces/{workspace_id}/items",
uses_pagination=True,
client="fabric_sp",
)
rows = []
for r in responses:
for item in r.get("value", []):
rows.append({
"Column1": item.get("id"),
"Column2": item.get("name"),
"Column3": item.get("count", 0),
})
if rows:
df = pd.DataFrame(rows)
return df
Step 3: Export the Function
From Module File
Add to the module's __init__.py:
from ._my_admin_function import my_new_function
__all__ = [
...,
"my_new_function",
]
From Main Package
For top-level functions, add to src/sempy_labs/__init__.py:
from ._my_feature import my_new_function
__all__ = [
...,
"my_new_function",
]
Common Patterns
Functions That Modify Resources
@log
def create_item(
name: str,
workspace: Optional[str | UUID] = None,
) -> None:
"""
Creates a new item.
...
"""
(workspace_name, workspace_id) = resolve_workspace_name_and_id(workspace)
payload = {
"displayName": name,
}
_base_api(
request=f"/v1/workspaces/{workspace_id}/items",
method="post",
payload=payload,
status_codes=[201, 202],
client="fabric_sp",
)
print(
f"{icons.green_dot} The '{name}' item has been successfully created "
f"in the '{workspace_name}' workspace."
)
Functions That Delete Resources
@log
def delete_item(
item: str | UUID,
workspace: Optional[str | UUID] = None,
) -> None:
"""
Deletes an item.
...
"""
(workspace_name, workspace_id) = resolve_workspace_name_and_id(workspace)
item_id = resolve_item_id(item=item, type="ItemType", workspace=workspace_id)
_base_api(
request=f"/v1/workspaces/{workspace_id}/items/{item_id}",
method="delete",
client="fabric_sp",
)
print(
f"{icons.green_dot} The item has been successfully deleted "
f"from the '{workspace_name}' workspace."
)
Functions With Long-Running Operations
@log
def long_running_operation(
item: str | UUID,
workspace: Optional[str | UUID] = None,
) -> dict:
"""
Performs a long-running operation.
...
"""
workspace_id = resolve_workspace_id(workspace)
item_id = resolve_item_id(item=item, type="ItemType", workspace=workspace_id)
result = _base_api(
request=f"/v1/workspaces/{workspace_id}/items/{item_id}/operation",
method="post",
lro_return_json=True,
client="fabric_sp",
)
return result
Step 4: Add Tests
Create tests for the new function:
import pytest
import pandas as pd
def test_my_new_function_returns_dataframe():
"""Test that my_new_function returns a DataFrame."""
from sempy_labs import my_new_function
result = my_new_function()
assert isinstance(result, pd.DataFrame)
def test_my_new_function_with_workspace():
"""Test my_new_function with specific workspace."""
from sempy_labs import my_new_function
result = my_new_function(workspace="Test Workspace")
assert isinstance(result, pd.DataFrame)
Step 5: Document the Function
Ensure the docstring follows numpydoc style:
- ✅ Short description (one line)
- ✅ Extended description (if needed)
- ✅ API reference link (for wrapper functions)
- ✅ Service Principal note (if supported)
- ✅ All parameters documented with types
- ✅ Return value documented
- ✅ Exceptions documented (if applicable)
Checklist Before Committing
Example: Complete New Function
See _workspaces.py for well-implemented examples:
list_workspace_users — List function returning DataFrame
update_workspace_user — Update function with parameters
delete_user_from_workspace — Delete function with confirmation message
API Documentation Resources
When wrapping REST APIs, reference the official documentation: