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python-debug-pattern
Debug Python script execution failures by capturing full output with exit codes and verifying working directory before file operations
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Debug Python script execution failures by capturing full output with exit codes and verifying working directory before file operations
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| name | python-debug-pattern |
| description | Debug Python script execution failures by capturing full output with exit codes and verifying working directory before file operations |
This skill provides a reusable pattern for debugging Python script execution failures. It ensures you capture actual tracebacks instead of opaque errors and verify the working directory before file operations.
When running Python scripts, always use this command pattern to surface actual tracebacks:
python3 script.py 2>&1 ; echo Exit code: $?
Why this works:
2>&1 redirects stderr to stdout, capturing both regular output and errors; echo Exit code: $? displays the actual exit code after executionExamples:
# Good: Full error capture
python3 process_data.py 2>&1 ; echo Exit code: $?
# Bad: Opaque error (no stderr capture, no exit code)
python3 process_data.py
Before any file read/write operations in Python, verify the current working directory:
import os
# At script start, log the working directory
print(f"Working directory: {os.getcwd()}")
# For file operations, use absolute paths or log the resolved path
file_path = "output/result.csv"
abs_path = os.path.abspath(file_path)
print(f"Writing to: {abs_path}")
Why this works:
Full example script structure:
#!/usr/bin/env python3
import os
import sys
def main():
# Debug: verify working directory
print(f"Working directory: {os.getcwd()}", file=sys.stderr)
# Debug: list directory contents if dealing with files
print(f"Directory contents: {os.listdir('.')}", file=sys.stderr)
# Your actual logic here
# ...
if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
2>&1 ; echo Exit code: $? patternos.getcwd() logging at script startos.path.abspath() for file pathsos.listdir('.') if relevant| Symptom | Without Pattern | With Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| File not found | "Error: failed" | Full traceback showing exact path attempted |
| Permission denied | Script exits silently | stderr shows permission error |
| Missing module | Opaque exit | ImportError with module name |
| Wrong directory | Confusing path errors | cwd logged, reveals directory mismatch |