# Py Clean General

> General Clean Code Principles

- Skill: `caslubbers/py-clean-general` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add caslubbers/py-clean-general`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/caslubbers/py-clean-general/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: CasLubbers (https://skillmd.com/u/caslubbers)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/caslubbers/py-clean-general

---


# General Clean Code Principles

## Critical Rules

**G5: DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself)**

Every piece of knowledge has one authoritative representation.

```python
# Bad - duplication
tax_rate = 0.0825
ca_total = subtotal * 1.0825
ny_total = subtotal * 1.07

# Good - single source of truth
TAX_RATES = {"CA": 0.0825, "NY": 0.07}
def calculate_total(subtotal: float, state: str) -> float:
    return subtotal * (1 + TAX_RATES[state])
```

**G16: No Obscured Intent**

Don't be clever. Be clear.

```python
# Bad - what does this do?
return (x & 0x0F) << 4 | (y & 0x0F)

# Good - obvious intent
return pack_coordinates(x, y)
```

**G23: Prefer Polymorphism to If/Else**

```python
# Bad - will grow forever
def calculate_pay(employee):
    if employee.type == "SALARIED":
        return employee.salary
    elif employee.type == "HOURLY":
        return employee.hours * employee.rate
    elif employee.type == "COMMISSIONED":
        return employee.base + employee.commission

# Good - open/closed principle
class SalariedEmployee:
    def calculate_pay(self): return self.salary

class HourlyEmployee:
    def calculate_pay(self): return self.hours * self.rate

class CommissionedEmployee:
    def calculate_pay(self): return self.base + self.commission
```

**G25: Replace Magic Numbers with Named Constants**

```python
# Bad
if elapsed_time > 86400:
    ...

# Good
SECONDS_PER_DAY = 86400
if elapsed_time > SECONDS_PER_DAY:
    ...
```

**G30: Functions Should Do One Thing**

If you can extract another function, your function does more than one thing.

**G36: Law of Demeter (Avoid Train Wrecks)**

```python
# Bad - reaching through multiple objects
output_dir = context.options.scratch_dir.absolute_path

# Good - one dot
output_dir = context.get_scratch_dir()
```

**Composition Over Inheritance**

Inheritance couples a subclass to its parent's internals forever. Use it only for a genuine
is-a relationship where the subclass is substitutable everywhere the parent is. For reuse, compose.

```python
# Bad - inherits to borrow behaviour, and drags in everything else
class EmailNotifier(SMTPClient):
    def notify(self, user, message):
        self.send(user.email, message)   # now coupled to every SMTPClient method

# Good - holds what it needs
class EmailNotifier:
    def __init__(self, smtp: SMTPClient) -> None:
        self._smtp = smtp

    def notify(self, user: User, message: str) -> None:
        self._smtp.send(user.email, message)
```

The composed version can be tested with a fake `SMTPClient`, can swap transports, and exposes only
`notify`. The inherited version exposes SMTP's whole surface as part of its own API.

Signals you inherited for the wrong reason: the subclass overrides a method to raise
`NotImplementedError`, ignores parameters the parent requires, or the hierarchy is three deep and
the behaviour lives in the middle layer.

```python
# Bad - a square is not substitutable for a rectangle
class Square(Rectangle):
    def set_width(self, w): self._w = self._h = w   # breaks every caller of Rectangle

# Good - share the contract, not the implementation
class Shape(Protocol):
    def area(self) -> float: ...
```

Prefer a `Protocol` for the shared contract, and a plain attribute for the shared behaviour. Mixins
are inheritance too — the same test applies. Where a subclass adds no behaviour, a dataclass field
or a function argument is enough.

## Enforcement Checklist

When reviewing AI-generated code, verify:
- [ ] No duplication (G5)
- [ ] Clear intent, no magic numbers (G16, G25)
- [ ] Polymorphism over conditionals (G23)
- [ ] Functions do one thing (G30)
- [ ] No Law of Demeter violations (G36)
- [ ] Boundary conditions handled (G3)
- [ ] Dead code removed (G9)
- [ ] Composition preferred over inheritance
- [ ] Module reads top-down, callers above callees