python-anti-patterns
Use this skill when reviewing Python code for common anti-patterns to avoid. Use as a checklist when reviewing code, before finalizing implementations, or when debugging issues that might stem from known bad practices.
Profile →npx skills add wshobson/agents --skill python-anti-patterns --agent claude-code
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for codex, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
# Python Anti-Patterns Checklist A reference checklist of common mistakes and anti-patterns in Python code. Review this before finalizing implementations to catch issues early. ## When to Use This Skill - Reviewing code before merge - Debugging mysterious issues - Teaching or learning Python best practices - Establishing team coding standards - Refactoring legacy code **Note:** This skill focuses on what to avoid. For guidance on positive patterns and architecture, see the `python-design-patterns` skill. ## Infrastructure Anti-Patterns ### Scattered Timeout/Retry Logic ```python # BAD: Timeout logic duplicated everywhere def fetch_user(user_id): try: return requests.get(url, timeout=30) except Timeout: logger.warning("Timeout fetching user") return None def fetch_orders(user_id): try: return requests.get(url, timeout=30) except Timeout: logger.warning("Timeout fetching orders") return None ``` **Fix:** Centralize in decorators or client wrappers. ```python # GOOD: Centralized retry logic @retry(stop=stop_after_attempt(3), wait=wait_exponential()) def http_get(url: str) -> Response: return requests.get(url, timeout=30) ``` ### Double Retry ```python # BAD: Retrying at multiple layer
- When to Use This Skill
- Infrastructure Anti-Patterns
- Scattered Timeout/Retry Logic
- Double Retry
- Hard-Coded Configuration
- Architecture Anti-Patterns
- Exposed Internal Types
- Mixed I/O and Business Logic
- Error Handling Anti-Patterns
- Bare Exception Handling
- Ignored Partial Failures
- Missing Input Validation
- Resource Anti-Patterns
- Unclosed Resources
What does the python-anti-patterns skill do?
Use this skill when reviewing Python code for common anti-patterns to avoid. Use as a checklist when reviewing code, before finalizing implementations, or when debugging issues that might stem from known bad practices.
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add wshobson/agents --skill python-anti-patterns --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From wshobson/agents, a repository with 38,479 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.