| name | python-scripts |
| description | Write and execute Python scripts in this workspace, installing any packages they need with conda or pip. Use for data analysis, charts, quick computations, scraping/parsing research sources, validating numbers cited in the book, or any one-off automation that benefits from running real Python. |
| argument-hint | Describe what the script should do, any input/output files, and which libraries (if known). Mention whether you want a reusable script saved or a one-off run. |
| user-invocable | true |
Python Scripts Skill
Author, install dependencies for, and run Python scripts inside the aidou workspace.
When to Use
Use this skill when a task benefits from executing real Python, for example:
- Verifying or computing numbers/statistics cited in the book before writing them.
- Parsing, cleaning, or summarising research sources (Markdown, HTML, PDF, CSV, JSON).
- Generating charts or tables from data.
- Quick automation: file processing, bulk renames, link checking, scraping.
- Prototyping or sanity-checking an algorithm described in the text.
Trigger phrases: "run a python script", "compute", "plot", "parse this data", "check these numbers", "scrape", "generate a chart".
Environment (verified 2026-06-30)
| Item | Value |
|---|
| Package manager | conda 26.3.2 (Miniconda at C:\Users\ctham\AppData\Local\miniconda3) |
| Active env | base (the only environment) |
| Python | 3.13.13 |
| pip | 26.0.1 |
| conda channels | conda-forge, defaults |
| Platform | Windows, win-64, PowerShell |
Both pip install and conda install work. PyPI and the conda channels are reachable.
[!IMPORTANT]
TLS verification is disabled on this machine (corporate proxy / self-signed
certificate). conda commands print InsecureRequestWarning for
conda.anaconda.org and repo.anaconda.com. Installs still succeed, but over
unverified HTTPS. This is expected here — do not treat the warning as a failure.
[!IMPORTANT]
PowerShell exit-code quirk. conda writes warnings to stderr, which makes
PowerShell raise a RemoteException and return exit code 1 even when the
command succeeded. Never judge success by exit code alone — inspect stdout
(the package list, "Would install…", or solved-environment block) to confirm.
Workflow
- Decide scope. A one-off computation can run inline with
python -c "…".
Anything reusable or longer than a few lines: save a .py file (see layout below).
- Check for the package first. Before installing, run
conda list <pkg> or
python -c "import <pkg>" — it may already be present.
- Install only what's missing. Prefer
conda install -c conda-forge <pkg>
for scientific/binary packages (numpy, pandas, matplotlib, scipy, lxml).
Use pip install <pkg> for pure-Python or PyPI-only packages.
- Write the script, then run it and inspect stdout.
- Clean up temporary scratch scripts unless the user wants them kept.
Installing packages
Check first, then install only if missing:
conda list pandas # already installed?
conda install -c conda-forge pandas # binary/scientific deps -> conda
pip install some-pure-python-pkg # PyPI-only -> pip
To confirm an install actually worked despite the exit-code quirk, verify by import:
python -c "import pandas, sys; print(pandas.__version__)"
If conda's stderr noise makes terminal output hard to read, filter the warnings:
conda install -c conda-forge pandas 2>&1 |
Select-String -Pattern "InsecureRequestWarning|warnings.warn" -NotMatch
For an unattended install, add -y to skip the conda confirmation prompt.
Running scripts
Inline one-off:
python -c "print(sum(range(101)))"
Saved script:
python scripts/<name>.py
Conventions for this repo
- Save reusable scripts in
scripts/ (e.g. scripts/check_numbers.py), matching
the existing scripts/html2md.ps1.
- Read inputs from
research/, sources/, or book/ with relative paths so
scripts are portable.
- Keep scripts small and single-purpose; print results to stdout.
- Don't add a
requirements.txt or new env unless the user asks — install into base.
- Never commit large generated data/binaries without asking.
Worked example
Count words in a chapter:
from pathlib import Path
text = Path("book/02-productivity.md").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
print(f"{len(text.split()):,} words")
python scripts/wordcount.py
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|
| Exit code 1 but output looks fine | PowerShell + conda stderr warnings | Ignore exit code; check stdout / verify by import |
InsecureRequestWarning flood | TLS verification disabled (proxy) | Expected; filter with Select-String … -NotMatch |
Solving environment: failed for a real package | Package not on configured channels | Try -c conda-forge, or fall back to pip install |
ModuleNotFoundError after install | Installed into a different interpreter | Run python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)" to confirm it's the Miniconda base python |
