perl

name	perl
description	Full Perl development aid. Use when the user wants to create, edit, run, debug, or test Perl scripts and modules. Scaffolds files with proper headers, follows Perl best practices, executes scripts, and assists with debugging. Use when this capability is needed.
metadata	{"author":"gary-ash"}

Perl Development Skill

Assist with all aspects of Perl development including creating files, writing code, running scripts, debugging, and testing.

Creating New Files

When creating a new Perl script (.pl) or module (.pm), always include the file header from CLAUDE.md using the Perl template. Every script must begin with:

#!/usr/bin/env perl
use strict;
use warnings;
use v5.36;

For modules, use the standard package structure:

package MyModule;
use strict;
use warnings;
use v5.36;

# module code here

1;

Running and Testing

• Run scripts with: perl -w <script.pl>
• Check syntax without executing: perl -c <script.pl>
• Run tests with: prove -v or perl -Ilib t/*.t
• Use perl -d <script.pl> information to help debug issues when the user asks

Code Quality

• Always use strict and use warnings
• Prefer modern Perl idioms (v5.36+ features like use v5.36 which enables strict, signatures, etc.)
• Use descriptive variable names following snake_case convention
• Use Perl's built-in documentation: check perldoc for module usage
• Prefer core modules over external dependencies when practical
• Use three-argument open with lexical filehandles
• Handle errors explicitly (open my $fh, '<', $file or die "Cannot open $file: $!")

Debugging

Built-in Perl debugging

• Add use Data::Dumper for inspecting complex data structures
• Use warn for debug output to STDERR
• Check for common issues: missing semicolons, incorrect sigils, scope problems
• Run perl -MO=Deparse <script.pl> to see how Perl interprets the code

Perl debugger (perl -d)

• Launch with: perl -d <script.pl>
• Key commands:
  • n (next line), s (step into), c (continue)
  • b <line> (set breakpoint), B <line> (delete breakpoint)
  • p <expr> (print expression), x <expr> (dump structure)
  • l (list source), T (stack backtrace)
  • w <expr> (watch expression), R (restart)
  • q (quit)
• Use perl -d -e 0 for an interactive Perl shell

Perl::Critic (static analysis)

• Enforces coding standards based on Perl Best Practices
• Run with: perlcritic <script.pl>
• Severity levels 1 (most strict) to 5 (least strict): perlcritic --severity 3 <script.pl>
• Use a .perlcriticrc file for project-specific policies
• Disable specific policies inline: ## no critic (PolicyName)
• Install with: cpanm Perl::Critic

Perl::Tidy (code formatter)

• Reformats Perl code to a consistent style
• Run with: perltidy <script.pl> (creates <script.pl>.tdy)
• In-place formatting: perltidy -b <script.pl>
• Use a .perltidyrc file for project-specific settings
• Install with: cpanm Perl::Tidy

Test::More and prove (testing framework)

• Perl's standard testing framework
• Run tests with: prove -v or prove -v -r t/
• Run a single test: prove -v t/specific_test.t
• Test file structure:

  use Test::More;
  
  is(my_function(1, 2), 3, 'addition works');
  ok(defined $result, 'result is defined');
  like($string, qr/pattern/, 'string matches pattern');
  is_deeply(\@got, \@expected, 'arrays match');
  
  done_testing();
  

• Additional test modules:
  • Test::Exception -- test that code dies/lives as expected
  • Test::Warn -- test warning output
  • Test::Deep -- flexible deep structure comparison
  • Test::MockObject -- mock objects for unit testing

CPAN Modules

• Install modules with: cpanm <Module::Name>
• Check if a module is installed: perl -M<Module::Name> -e1
• Prefer well-maintained, widely-used modules

Argument Handling

• If $ARGUMENTS is a filename ending in .pl or .pm, work with that file
• If $ARGUMENTS is "new ", scaffold a new file with proper headers
• If $ARGUMENTS is "run ", execute the script and report output
• If $ARGUMENTS is "test", run the project's test suite
• Otherwise, treat $ARGUMENTS as a general Perl development request

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