jr2804 Python Pathlib
What I Do
Provide guidelines for using Python's pathlib module for all file system paths.
Path Rules
Always Use Pathlib
# GOOD - Use pathlib for all paths
from pathlib import Path
config_path = Path("config/settings.json")
data_dir = Path("data/output")
file_path = data_dir / "results.csv"
# BAD - Never store paths as strings
config_path = "config/settings.json" # WRONG
data_dir = "data/output" # WRONG
# BAD - Never use os.path
import os.path
path = os.path.join("data", "output") # WRONG
Path Operations
from pathlib import Path
# Create paths with / operator
base = Path("data")
output_file = base / "results.csv"
subdir_file = base / "processed" / "output.json"
# Check path types
path.is_file() # True if file
path.is_dir() # True if directory
path.exists() # True if exists
# File operations
path.read_text() # Read as string
path.read_bytes() # Read as bytes
path.write_text(content) # Write string
path.write_bytes(data) # Write bytes
# Directory operations
path.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
path.iterdir() # List directory contents
path.rglob("*.py") # Recursive glob
Context Managers
from pathlib import Path
# Always use with statements for file handling
input_file = Path("input.txt")
with input_file.open("r") as f:
data = f.read()
# Or use pathlib's read methods for simple cases
content = Path("config.json").read_text()
When to Use Me
Use this skill when:
- Handling file paths
- Managing directory operations
- Reading or writing files
- Any Path-related work
Key Rules
- Never use strings for paths - Always use Path objects
- Never use os.path - Use pathlib instead
- Use / operator - For path concatenation
- Use with statements - For file I/O
- Type annotate as Path -
path: Path