| name | python-project-scaffold |
| description | Full Python project bootstrapping workflow. Use this skill whenever the user wants to build a new Python tool, library, CLI, or module from scratch — especially when they mention "create X", "build X in Python", "write a Python project for X", or ask for a proper project with tests, linting, versioning, or git setup. Triggers on any request to scaffold, initialize, or structure a new Python project. Even if the user only says "build me X in Python", apply this skill — it encodes the full professional workflow: SPEC → implementation → pytest → README → lint → git. Always use this skill rather than improvising a one-off script when the deliverable is a reusable project.
|
Python Project Scaffold Skill
Build a production-grade Python project from scratch, end-to-end. The workflow is
strictly sequential: spec first, code second, tests third, polish fourth, git last.
Never skip or reorder steps.
Workflow
Note: If rtk is available in the environment, prefer using rtk git <command> instead of git <command> for better workflow integration and consistency.
Step 0 — Understand the Request
The default branch is master.
Before writing a single file, make sure you know:
- What the project does (purpose, inputs, outputs)
- Any constraints (pure stdlib? third-party ok? CLI or library?)
- Target Python version (default: 3.11+)
- Is this a CLI tool, library, or both?
If the user's request is clear enough, proceed directly to Step 1. If ambiguous, ask
one focused clarifying question only.
Step 1 — Setup project internal variables to use later
<package_name> Is the package name it must follow pypi conventions like hypenated between words.
<project_name> Is the project name.
<version> Is the project version (default :"0.1.0").
<project_description> Is the project description.
<is_mcp_server> Is this project about MCP server? (true/false)
<github_username> Is the github username (git config user.githubusername).
<author_name> Is the author name (git config user.name).
<author_email> Is the author email (git config.email).
<target_python> Is the target Python version (default: "3.11").
<ruff_version> Is the ruff version (default: "v0.9.0").
<prospector_version> Is the prospector version (default: "v1.18.0").
<opengrep_version> Is the opengrep version (default: "v1.22.0").
<pre_commit_version> Is the pre-commit version (default: "v5.0.0").
<hatch_version> Is the hatch version (default: "latest").
<vulture_version> Is the vulture version (default: "v2.11").
<lizard_version> Is the lizard version (default: "v1.17.10").
<impactguard_version> Is the impactguard version (default: "v0.1.4").
<mdformat_version> Is the mdformat version (default: "v0.7.22").
Step 2 — Write docs/SPEC.md First
Always write SPEC.md before writing any code. No exceptions.
SPEC.md is the contract. Everything that follows must obey it.
# SPEC.md — <project_name>
## Purpose
One paragraph: what this project does and why.
## Scope
- What IS in scope (explicit list)
- What is NOT in scope (explicit list)
## Public API / Interface
List every public function, class, CLI command, or module with:
- Signature (name, args, return type)
- Invariants and preconditions
- Error behavior
## Data Formats
Describe input/output data structures, file formats, encodings.
## Edge Cases
List at least 5 edge cases that the implementation must handle correctly.
## Performance & Constraints
Any O(n) requirements, memory limits, forbidden dependencies.
After writing docs/SPEC.md, pause and verify it makes sense before moving on.
Step 3 — Project Structure
Create the following layout:
<project_name>/
├── SPEC.md
├── README.md
├── LICENSE
├── CHANGELOG.md
├── .gitignore
├── pyproject.toml
├── .pre-commit-config.yaml
├── .github/
│ └── workflows/
│ └── ci.yml
├── tools/
│ └── release.sh # automated release workflow
├── src/
│ └── <package_name>/
│ ├── __init__.py # exports version + public API
│ ├── __main__.py # CLI entry point (if CLI project)
│ ├── py.typed # type hints marker
│ └── <modules>.py
└── tests/
├── __init__.py
├── conftest.py
└── test_<module>.py
Step 4 — Internal Subsystem Organization
When a package grows beyond a few modules, separate concerns into distinct subsystems
within src/<package_name>/. Each subsystem should be a self-contained package with a
clear responsibility. The following is a non-exhaustive list of common subsystem types
— use only those that apply to your project.
Layout pattern (examples):
src/<package_name>/
├── __init__.py
├── __main__.py
├── py.typed
├── core/ # Core domain logic, no external dependencies
│ ├── __init__.py
│ └── models.py
├── adapters/ # External integrations (API clients, DB, filesystem)
│ ├── __init__.py
│ ├── http.py
│ └── storage.py
├── services/ # Business logic orchestrating core + adapters
│ ├── __init__.py
│ └── pipeline.py
├── cli/ # CLI layer (if CLI project)
│ ├── __init__.py
│ └── commands.py
└── api/ # HTTP/API layer (if applicable)
├── __init__.py
└── routes.py
Rules:
core/ has zero imports from adapters/, services/, cli/, or api/adapters/ may import from core/ but not from services/, cli/, or api/services/ may import from core/ and adapters/, but not from cli/ or api/cli/ and api/ may import from any subsystem- Never create catch-all modules like
utils.py at the package root; place utility
code near where it's used
Dependency direction (inward):
cli/api → services → adapters → core
This ensures core remains testable without external dependencies and can be reused
independently.
Step 5 — pyproject.toml
Modern configuration with hatchling + ruff + mypy (via prospector) + coverage:
[build-system]
requires = ["hatchling"]
build-backend = "hatchling.build"
[project]
name = "<package_name>"
version = "<version>"
description = "<one-line description>"
readme = "README.md"
requires-python = ">=<target_python>"
license = {text = "MIT"}
authors = [
{name = "<author_name>", email = "<author_email>"}
]
dependencies = []
[project.optional-dependencies]
dev = [
"ruff",
"mypy",
"hatch",
"pip-api",
"impactguard",
"mdformat",
]
test = [
"pytest",
"pytest-cov",
"pytest-mock",
"pytest-asyncio",
"hypothesis",
]
lint = [
"prospector[with_ruff,with_mypy]",
"opengrep",
"vulture",
"lizard",
"mdformat",
"impactguard",
]
all = ["<package_name>[dev,test,lint]"]
[project.scripts]
<package_name> = "<package_name>.__main__:main"
[project.urls]
Homepage = "https://github.com/<github_username>/<project_name>"
Repository = "https://github.com/<github_username>/<project_name>"
Issues = "https://github.com/<github_username>/<project_name>/issues"
[tool.hatch.build.targets.wheel]
packages = ["src/<package_name>"]
[tool.hatch.build.targets.sdist]
include = ["src/<package_name>"]
[tool.ruff]
line-length = 88
target-version = "py<target_python>"
[tool.ruff.lint]
select = ["E", "F", "W", "I", "UP", "ANN", "TCH", "N", "C4", "ARG"]
ignore = ["E501"]
[tool.ruff.lint.per-file-ignores]
"__init__.py" = ["F401"]
[tool.ruff.lint.pydocstyle]
convention = "google"
[tool.mypy]
python_version = "<target_python>"
strict = true
warn_return_any = true
warn_unused_ignores = true
[tool.prospector]
output-format = "text"
strictness = "medium"
test-warnings = false
[tool.prospector.tools]
ruff = true
mypy = true
pylint = true
pyflakes = false
pycodestyle = false
mccabe = true
[tool.pytest.ini_options]
testpaths = ["tests"]
addopts = "-v --tb=short --cov=src --cov-fail-under=80"
filterwarnings = ["ignore::DeprecationWarning"]
[tool.coverage.run]
source = ["src"]
branch = true
[tool.coverage.report]
exclude = ["tests/*", "*/__init__.py"]
exclude_lines = [
"pragma: no cover",
"def __repr__",
"raise AssertionError",
"raise NotImplementedError",
"if __name__ == .__main__.:",
"if TYPE_CHECKING:",
]
Step 6 — Implementation
Follow SPEC.md to the letter. For each item in the spec's Public API:
- Implement it exactly as specced (name, signature, behavior)
- Add verbose docstrings (comprehensive summary + detailed Args/Returns/Raises/Examples)
- Every function should have at minimum: summary line, extended description, Args section with types, Returns section with types, Raises section, and Examples section where helpful
- Handle all edge cases listed in SPEC.md
- Raise meaningful exceptions with descriptive messages
- Add type hints to all function signatures
__init__.py must export:
__version__ = "<version>"
__all__ = [...]
from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
if TYPE_CHECKING:
from ._core import *
__main__.py for CLI projects:
import sys
from <package_name> import cli
def main() -> int:
return cli.main()
if __name__ == "__main__":
raise SystemExit(main())
py.typed marker file: Empty file to indicate package provides type hints.
Do not add features not in SPEC.md. If you realize the spec is wrong, update SPEC.md
first, then the code.
Step 7 — Tests (pytest, heavy coverage)
Write tests before assuming the implementation is correct. Tests are the spec made
executable.
Minimum test coverage requirements:
| Category | Minimum |
|---|
| Happy path | 1 test per public function |
| Edge cases | Every edge case in SPEC.md gets a test |
| Error cases | Every documented exception gets a test |
| Boundary values | Empty input, single element, large input |
| Type correctness | Wrong-type args raise TypeError where appropriate |
| Property-based | Use hypothesis for complex functions |
conftest.py pattern:
import pytest
from hypothesis import given, settings, Verbosity
@given(data=pytest.mark.parametrize(...))
@settings(verbosity=Verbosity.verbose)
def test_something(data):
...
@pytest.fixture
def sample_input():
return ...
@pytest.fixture
def mock_external(mocker):
return mocker.patch(...)
Test naming convention: test_<function>_<scenario>, e.g.:
test_parse_empty_stringtest_compute_large_ntest_divide_by_zero_raises
Run tests and fix everything before moving on:
cd <project_root>
pip install -e ".[test]" --quiet
pytest -v
All tests must pass. Zero failures, zero errors. Coverage must be >= 80%.
Verify the package imports correctly:
python -c "import <package_name>; print(<package_name>.__version__)"
Step 8 — README.md
**<package_name>** — One-line description.
[](https://pypi.org/project/<package_name>/)
[](https://pypi.org/project/<package_name>/)
[](https://codecov.io/gh/<author_name>/<project_name>)
[](https://github.com/astral-sh/ruff)
[](https://deepwiki.com/<github_username>/<package_nane>)
## Install
```bash
pip install <package_name>
Usage
from <package_name> import <MainThing>
CLI
<package_name> --help
API
Brief description of each public symbol.
Acknowledgments
This project was developed by me with the assistance of AI coding tools used for code generation, refactoring, and review. I reviewed, tested, and take responsibility for the final implementation.
Development
git clone https://github.com/<github_username>/<project_name>.git
cd <project_name>
pip install -e ".[test]"
pytest
ruff format src/ tests/
mdformat .
prospector --with-tool ruff --with-tool mypy --with-tool pylint src/
opengrep --config=auto --severity=ERROR src/
vulture --min-confidence 90 src/
lizard src/ --CCN=15
impactguard-check-staged
<!-- Apply this step ONLY if `<is_mcp_server>` is `true`. -->
```markdown
mcp-name: io.github.<github_username>/<package_name>
Step 9 — CHANGELOG.md
# Changelog
All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/),
and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
### Added
- Initial release
[<version>]: https://github.com/<github_username>/<project_name>/releases/tag/v<version>
Step 10 — LICENSE
Choose an appropriate license. Default: MIT
MIT License
Copyright (c) 2026 <author_name>
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.
Step 11 — .gitignore
__pycache__/
*.py[cod]
*.egg-info/
dist/
build/
.eggs/
*.egg
.env
.venv
venv/
env/
*.pyc
*.pyo
.pytest_cache/
.ruff_cache/
.mypy_cache/
htmlcov/
.coverage
.coverage.*
*.log
.DS_Store
.idea/
.vscode/
*.swp
*.swo
.hypothesis/
Step 12 — Pre-commit Hooks
.pre-commit-config.yaml:
repos:
- repo: https://github.com/astral-sh/ruff-pre-commit
rev: <ruff_version>
hooks:
- id: ruff-format
- id: ruff
args: [--fix]
- repo: https://github.com/executablebooks/mdformat
rev: <mdformat_version>
hooks:
- id: mdformat
- repo: https://github.com/landscapeio/prospector-pre-commit
rev: <prospector_version>
hooks:
- id: prospector
additional_dependencies:
- ".[with_ruff,with_mypy]"
args: [--with-tool=ruff, --with-tool=mypy, --with-tool=pylint, --path=src/]
- repo: local
hooks:
- id: opengrep
name: Opengrep - Security and Pattern Scanning
entry: opengrep
args: [--config=auto, --severity=ERROR, src/]
language: python
types: [python]
additional_dependencies: ["opengrep"]
- repo: https://github.com/jendrikseipp/vulture
rev: <vulture_version>
hooks:
- id: vulture
args: [--min-confidence=90, src/]
- repo: local
hooks:
- id: lizard
name: Lizard - Code Complexity Analysis
entry: lizard
args: [--CCN=15, src/]
language: python
types: [python]
additional_dependencies: ["lizard"]
stages: [pre-commit]
- repo: local
hooks:
- id: impactguard-check
name: ImpactGuard - API Impact Analysis
entry: impactguard-check-staged
language: system
files: \.py$
stages: [pre-commit]
- id: impactguard-post-commit
name: ImpactGuard - Post-Commit Signature Tracking
entry: impactguard-post-commit-hook
language: system
always_run: true
stages: [post-commit]
- id: build-check
name: Build package before push
entry: uv run python -m build
language: system
stages: [pre-push]
- repo: https://github.com/pre-commit/pre-commit-hooks
rev: <pre_commit_version>
hooks:
- id: trailing-whitespace
- id: end-of-file-fixer
- id: check-yaml
- id: check-added-large-files
Must install hooks before first commit — this is non-optional.
pip install pre-commit && pre-commit install
Verify hooks are active:
pre-commit run --all-files
If any hook fails, fix before committing.
Step 13 — GitHub Actions CI
Write .github/workflows/ci.yml with the content below:
name: CI
on:
push:
branches: [master]
pull_request:
branches: [master]
jobs:
test:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
strategy:
matrix:
python-version: ["3.11", "3.12", "3.13"]
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v4
- name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
uses: actions/setup-python@v5
with:
python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
- name: Install uv
uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v5
- name: Install dependencies
run: uv pip install --system -e ".[test]"
- name: Run tests with coverage
run: pytest --cov --cov-report=xml --cov-report=term-missing
- name: Upload coverage
uses: codecov/codecov-action@v4
with:
files: ./coverage.xml
fail_ci_if_error: false
lint:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v4
- name: Set up Python
uses: actions/setup-python@v5
with:
python-version: "3.12"
- name: Install uv
uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v5
- name: Install dependencies
run: uv pip install --system -e ".[lint]"
- name: Run ruff format
run: ruff format --check src/ tests/
- name: Run mdformat
run: mdformat --check .
- name: Run prospector (ruff check + mypy + pylint with blending)
run: prospector --with-tool ruff --with-tool mypy --with-tool pylint src/
- name: Run opengrep
run: opengrep --config=auto --severity=ERROR src/
- name: Run vulture (dead code detection)
run: vulture --min-confidence 90 src/
- name: Run lizard (code complexity analysis)
run: lizard src/ --min-cyclomatic-complexity 10
- name: Run impactguard (API impact analysis)
run: impactguard extract src/ --output /dev/null
build:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v4
- name: Set up Python
uses: actions/setup-python@v5
with:
python-version: "3.12"
- name: Build package
run: |
pip install build
python -m build
- name: Check package
run: pip install twine && python -m twine check dist/*
Step 14 — PyPI Publish
Write .github/workflows/pypi-publish.yml with the content below:
name: Publish to PyPI
on:
release:
types: [published]
workflow_dispatch:
jobs:
build:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v4
- name: Set up Python
uses: actions/setup-python@v5
with:
python-version: "3.12"
- name: Install uv
uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v5
- name: Create virtual environment and install build tools
run: uv venv && uv pip install build twine
- name: Build package
run: uv run python -m build
- name: Check package
run: uv run python -m twine check dist/*
- name: Upload dist artifacts
uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
with:
name: dist
path: dist/
publish:
needs: build
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
environment:
name: pypi
url: https://pypi.org/p/<project_name>
permissions:
id-token: write
steps:
- name: Download dist artifacts
uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
with:
name: dist
path: dist/
- name: Publish to PyPI
uses: pypa/gh-action-pypi-publish@release/v1
with:
user: __token__
password: ${{ secrets.PYPI_API_TOKEN }}
Step 15 — Create a Companion SKILL.md and install-skill.py
Apply this step ONLY if <is_mcp_server> is true.
Write scripts/install-skill.py with the content below:
"""Install skill to agent directories."""
from __future__ import annotations
import os
import shutil
import sys
from pathlib import Path
AGENT_DIRECTORIES = {
"claude": Path.home() / ".claude" / "skills",
"opencode": Path.home() / ".opencode" / "skills",
}
PROJECT_NAME = "<project_name>"
SOURCE_DIR = Path(__file__).parent.parent / "skills" / PROJECT_NAME
def find_agent_dirs() -> dict[str, Path]:
"""Find available agent skill directories."""
found = {}
for agent, base_dir in AGENT_DIRECTORIES.items():
if base_dir.exists():
found[agent] = base_dir
return found
def install_skill(agent: str, target_dir: Path) -> bool:
"""Install the skill to the target directory."""
target_path = target_dir / PROJECT_NAME
if target_path.exists():
if target_path.is_symlink():
target_path.unlink()
elif target_path.is_dir():
shutil.rmtree(target_path)
try:
os.symlink(SOURCE_DIR.resolve(), target_path)
print(f"Installed {PROJECT_NAME} to {agent} at {target_path}")
return True
except OSError:
shutil.copytree(SOURCE_DIR.resolve(), target_path)
print(f"Copied {PROJECT_NAME} to {agent} at {target_path}")
return True
def main() -> int:
if not SOURCE_DIR.exists():
print(f"Error: Skill source not found at {SOURCE_DIR}", file=sys.stderr)
return 1
agents = find_agent_dirs()
if not agents:
print("No agent skill directories found", file=sys.stderr)
return 1
print(f"Found agents: {', '.join(agents.keys())}")
for agent, target_dir in agents.items():
install_skill(agent, target_dir)
print("\nInstallation complete!")
return 0
if __name__ == "__main__":
sys.exit(main())
Apply this step ONLY if <is_mcp_server> is true.
Write skills/<project_name>/SKILL.md with the content below:
name: {PROJECT_NAME}
description: >
{PROJECT_DESCRIPTION}
Triggers on specific keywords or phrases related to this project.
---
# {PROJECT_NAME} Skill
[Description of the skill's purpose and usage]
## Usage
[How to use this skill]
## Examples
- [Example 1]
- [Example 2]
Step 16 — MCP Registry Publish
Apply this step ONLY if <is_mcp_server> is true.
Update pyproject.toml with MCP server configuration:
[project.optional-dependencies]
mcp = ["fastmcp"]
Then proceed with Step 17.
server.json:
{
"$schema": "https://static.modelcontextprotocol.io/schemas/2025-12-11/server.schema.json",
"name": "io.github.<github_username>/<project_name>",
"description": "<project_description>",
"repository": {
"url": "https://github.com/<github_username>/<project_name>",
"source": "github"
},
"version": "<version>",
"packages": [
{
"registryType": "pypi",
"identifier": "<project_name>",
"version": "<version>",
"transport": {
"type": "stdio"
}
}
]
}
mcp.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"<package_name>": {
"command": "<package_name>",
"env": {}
}
}
}
Step 17 — Publish Python MCP Server
Apply this step ONLY if <is_mcp_server> is true.
Write .github/workflows/mcp-publish.yml with the content below:
name: Publish Python MCP Server
on:
workflow_run:
workflows: ["Publish to PyPI"]
types:
- completed
workflow_dispatch:
jobs:
publish:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
permissions:
id-token: write
contents: read
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v4
- name: Install MCP Publisher
run: |
curl -L "https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/registry/releases/download/v1.5.0/mcp-publisher_linux_amd64.tar.gz" | tar xz mcp-publisher
- name: Publish to MCP Registry
run: |
./mcp-publisher login github-oidc
./mcp-publisher publish
Step 18 — Bumpversion Configuration
.bumpversion.cfg:
[bumpversion]
current_version = <version>
[bumpversion:file:pyproject.toml]
search = version = "{current_version}"
replace = version = "{new_version}"
[bumpversion:file:src/<project_name>/__init__.py]
search = __version__ = "{current_version}"
replace = __version__ = "{new_version}"
Apply this step ONLY if <is_mcp_server> is true.
[bumpversion:file:server.json]
search = "version": "{current_version}"
replace = "version": "{new_version}"
Step 19 — Release Script
Create tools/release.sh to automate version bumps, tagging, builds, and GitHub releases:
#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail
PART="${1:-patch}"
if ! git diff --stat --exit-code; then
echo "error: working tree has uncommitted changes; aborting." >&2
exit 1
fi
BRANCH=$(git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD)
if [ "$BRANCH" != "master" ] && [ "$BRANCH" != "main" ]; then
echo "warning: releasing from branch '$BRANCH' (not master/main)"
fi
echo "==> bumpversion $PART"
rtk bumpversion "$PART" --tag --verbose --commit
echo "==> push commit + tags"
rtk git push
rtk git push --tags
echo "==> build"
rtk python -m build
echo "==> gh release"
TAG=$(git describe --tags --abbrev=0)
rtk gh release create "$TAG" --generate-notes
echo "==> done: $TAG released"
Make the script executable:
chmod +x tools/release.sh
Step 20 — Lint and Type Check
Run linters in order and fix every warning.
pip install prospector[with_ruff,with_mypy] ruff opengrep vulture mdformat impactguard pytest pytest-cov pre-commit lizard --quiet
ruff format src/ tests/
mdformat .
prospector --with-tool ruff --with-tool mypy --with-tool pylint src/
opengrep --config=auto --severity=ERROR src/
vulture --min-confidence 90 src/
lizard src/ --min-cyclomatic-complexity 10
impactguard-check-staged
pytest
Fix ALL warnings. Do not suppress with # noqa unless there is a documented reason.
After fixing, re-run pytest to confirm nothing broke.
Step 21 — Git Init, Commit, Push
cd <project_root>
gh repo create <project_name> --public --source=. --push=false
git init
pre-commit install
git add .
git commit -m "feat: initial release v<version>
- Implements <short description>
- Full pytest suite with <N> tests (>80% coverage)
- Linted with ruff format, mdformat, prospector (ruff check + mypy + pylint), opengrep, lizard, and vulture
- CI/CD workflow configured
- Pre-commit hooks configured"
git remote add origin git@github.com:<github_username>/<project_name>.git
git remote add origin-https https://github.com/<github_username>/<project_name>.git
git push -u origin master
If no remote URL was given by the user run gh create then git push.
Finish step with gh repo edit <github_username>/<project_name> --add-topic <topics>.
Step 22 — Verify Dependencies on PyPI
Before finalizing, verify all dependencies in pyproject.toml exist on PyPI:
pip install --quiet pip-api 2>/dev/null || pip install pip-api
python3 << 'EOF'
import tomllib
import pip_api
with open("pyproject.toml", "rb") as f:
data = tomllib.load(f)
deps = data.get("project", {}).get("dependencies", [])
for extra, extra_deps in data.get("project", {}).get("optional-dependencies", {}).items():
deps.extend(extra_deps)
import re
for dep in deps:
pkg_name = re.split(r"[<>=!~]", dep)[0].strip()
try:
pip_api.pypi_project(pkg_name)
print(f"✓ {pkg_name}")
except Exception as e:
print(f"✗ {pkg_name}: NOT FOUND - {e}")
exit(1)
print("\nAll dependencies verified on PyPI!")
EOF
This gate prevents hallucinated package names from being committed. If any package fails, fix pyproject.toml before proceeding.
CLI Projects (click/typer)
For CLI projects, add to dependencies:
[project.optional-dependencies]
cli = ["click>=8.0"]
Or use typer:
[project.optional-dependencies]
cli = ["typer>=0.9", "rich>=13.0"]
Use click/typer decorators for CLI structure:
Click:
import click
@click.command()
@click.argument("input")
@click.option("-o", "--output", help="Output file")
@click.option("-v", "--verbose", is_flag=True, help="Verbose output")
def main(input: str, output: str | None, verbose: bool) -> None:
"""CLI tool description."""
...
Typer:
import typer
from typing import Optional
app = typer.Typer()
@app.command()
def main(
input: str = typer.Argument(..., help="Input file"),
output: Optional[str] = typer.Option(None, "-o", "--output", help="Output file"),
verbose: bool = typer.Option(False, "-v", "--verbose", help="Verbose output"),
) -> None:
"""CLI tool description."""
...
Always add --verbose, --debug, and --log-file CLI options to every CLI project. These should be standard first-class options:
--verbose / -v: increase output verbosity (repeatable or level argument)--debug: enable debug-level logging and stack traces--log-file / -l: write logs to a file path
Ensure pyproject.toml has [project.scripts] entry:
[project.scripts]
<package_name> = "<package_name>.__main__:main"
MCP Server Projects (fastmcp)
Apply this step ONLY if <is_mcp_server> is true.
For MCP server projects, use fastmcp:
[project.optional-dependencies]
mcp = ["fastmcp"]
Implement the MCP server using fastmcp:
import fastmcp
mcp = fastmcp.FastMCP("<package_name>")
@mcp.tool()
def your_tool(arg: str) -> str:
"""Tool description."""
...
@mcp.resource("resource://name")
def your_resource() -> str:
...
Every function of every tool must have proper documentation with at least one example.
@mcp.tool()
def your_tool(arg: str) -> str:
"""Short description of what the tool does.
Args:
arg: Description of the argument.
Returns:
Description of the return value.
Example:
>>> your_tool("example_input")
"expected_output"
"""
...
For stdio transport, ensure __main__.py runs the server:
import sys
from <package_name> import mcp
if __name__ == "__main__":
mcp.run()
Step 23 - Quality Gates
Before declaring the project done, verify every item (Use TODOs):
Step 24 — AGENTS.md
Create AGENTS.md at the project root to document agent behaviors, commands, and workflows:
# AGENTS.md — <project_name>
## Overview
<one-paragraph description of what this project does and who it's for>
## Commands
| Command | Description |
|---------|------------|
| `pytest` | Run test suite |
| `ruff format` | Format code |
| `mdformat` | Format markdown |
| `prospector --with-tool ruff --with-tool mypy --with-tool pylint src/` | Lint + type check (with blending) |
| `opengrep --config=auto --severity=ERROR src/` | Security and pattern scanning |
| `vulture --min-confidence 90 src/` | Dead/unused code detection |
| `lizard src/ --min-cyclomatic-complexity 10` | Code complexity analysis |
| `impactguard-check-staged` | API impact analysis for staged changes |
## Development
```bash
# Setup
pip install -e ".[test]"
# Test
pytest
# Format
ruff format src/ tests/
# Format markdown
mdformat .
# Lint + type check (prospector runs ruff check + mypy + pylint together)
prospector --with-tool ruff --with-tool mypy --with-tool pylint src/
opengrep --config=auto --severity=ERROR src/
# find unused code
vulture --min-confidence 90 src/
# analyze code complexity
lizard src/ --min-cyclomatic-complexity 10
# track API impact
impactguard-check-staged
Testing
Code Style
- Format: ruff format
- Lint + Type check: prospector (runs ruff check + mypy + pylint with blending)
- Docstrings: Google style
Release
Use tools/release.sh to automate version bumps, builds, and GitHub releases:
./tools/release.sh
./tools/release.sh minor
./tools/release.sh major
The script:
- Checks working tree is clean; warns if not on
master/main
- Runs
bumpversion <part> --tag --verbose
- Pushes commit + tags
- Builds the package
- Creates a GitHub release with auto-generated notes
MCP Server (if <is_mcp_server> is true)
pip install <package_name>
Add to your mcp.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"<package_name>": {
"command": "<package_name>"
}
}
}
---
## Code Quality
Review for:
- No duplicated code (DRY principle)
- Consistent error handling
- Full type coverage
- Clear tool/module/class/function descriptions.
- What assumptions does this code make that aren't in the spec? What inputs would produce surprising behavior?
---
## Common Pitfalls
**Don't make conditional imports** All the imports should be in the header of the module.
**Don't skip SPEC.md.** The temptation to jump to code is always wrong. The spec forces
clarity about edge cases before they become bugs.
**Don't write tests after the fact as a formality.** Tests should falsify your
implementation. Write at least one test you expect might fail.
**Don't ignore linter/type warnings.** Fix the root cause, not the symptom.
**Don't use `# noqa` as a first resort.** It's a last resort with a comment explaining
why.
**Ruff replaces black + flake8.** Don't install both; ruff handles formatting and linting.
**Use hatchling as build backend.** It's the modern default, faster and simpler
than legacy setuptools.
**`src/` layout requires `pip install -e .`** to be importable. Remind the user if they
get `ModuleNotFoundError`.
**Don't forget `py.typed`** if you want type hints to work for downstream consumers.
**Always add `readme = "README.md"`** in `[project]` section of pyproject.toml
for proper package metadata.
**Version management:** For production projects, consider using `hatch` or
`setuptools-scm` for automatic version management.
**Language:** Make sure the code and the main documentation is always in english.
**README.md** Make sure it's not vague.
---
