pure-python-fallback

name	pure-python-fallback
description	Validate the pure Python decoder and encoder fallback. Use for changes in src/bencode2/__decoder.py or __encoder.py, PyPy compatibility, tests that should pass without the native module, or any task that must run with --assert-pkg-compiled=false.
argument-hint	[optional changed files or test target]

Pure Python Fallback

When To Use

• Touching src/bencode2/__decoder.py, src/bencode2/__encoder.py, or tests that should pass when the native module is unavailable.
• Validating fallback behavior on PyPy, free-threading related changes, or local environments where the compiled module has not been copied into src/bencode2.

Procedure

1. Make sure src/bencode2 does not contain a copied __bencode binary from a previous Meson build. Leave build/ alone unless the build itself is under investigation.
2. Sync dev dependencies if needed: uv sync --dev --no-install-project.
3. Run fallback tests with PYTHONPATH=src pytest --assert-pkg-compiled=false tests.
4. When semantics change, compare against the compiled path and keep shared tests implementation-agnostic.

Checks

• src/bencode2/__init__.py should reach the fallback import path through ModuleNotFoundError.
• Do not coerce decoded bencode strings to str; decoded string values must remain bytes.
• tests/test_encode.py::test_free is compiled-only coverage and should not be used to judge fallback behavior.