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reviewing-python-libraries

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Comprehensively reviews Python libraries for quality across project structure, packaging, code quality, testing, security, documentation, API design, and CI/CD. Provides actionable feedback and improvement recommendations. Use when evaluating library health, preparing for major releases, or auditing dependencies.

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python-library-dev

wdm0006/python-skills

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python-library-quality

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wdm0006/python-skills

skills/library-review/SKILL.md

Last Verified

January 20, 2026

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Instructions

# Python Library Review

## Quick Health Check (5 min)

```bash
git clone https://github.com/user/package && cd package
cat pyproject.toml | head -50        # Modern config?
ls tests/ && pytest --collect-only   # Tests exist?
pytest --cov=package | tail -20      # Coverage?
pip install bandit && bandit -r src/ # Security?
```

## Review Dimensions

| Area | Check For |
|------|-----------|
| Structure | src/ layout, py.typed marker |
| Packaging | pyproject.toml (not setup.py) |
| Code | Type hints, docstrings, no anti-patterns |
| Tests | 80%+ coverage, edge cases |
| Security | No secrets, input validation, pip-audit clean |
| Docs | README, API docs, changelog |
| API | Consistent naming, sensible defaults |
| CI/CD | Tests on PR, multi-Python, security scans |

## Red Flags 🚩

- No tests
- No type hints
- setup.py only (no pyproject.toml)
- Pinned exact versions for all deps
- No LICENSE file
- Last commit > 1 year ago

## Green Flags ✅

- Active maintenance (recent commits)
- High test coverage (>85%)
- Comprehensive CI/CD
- Type hints throughout
- Clear documentation
- Semantic versioning

## Report Template

```markdown
# Library Review: [package]

**Rating:** [Excellent/Good/Needs Work/Significant Issues]

## Strengths
- [Strength 1]

## Areas for Improvement
- [Issue 1] - Severity: High/Medium/Low

## Category Scores
| Category | Score |
|----------|-------|
| Structure | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Testing | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| Security | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |

## Recommendations
1. [High priority action]
2. [Medium priority action]
```

For detailed checklists, see:
- **[CHECKLIST.md](CHECKLIST.md)** - Full review checklist
- **[REPORT_TEMPLATE.md](REPORT_TEMPLATE.md)** - Complete report template

## Best Practices Checklist

```
Essential:
- [ ] pyproject.toml valid
- [ ] Tests exist and pass
- [ ] README has install/usage
- [ ] LICENSE present
- [ ] No hardcoded secrets

Important:
- [ ] Type hints on public API
- [ ] CI runs tests on PRs
- [ ] Coverage > 70%
- [ ] Changelog maintained

Recomm

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