# Common Lisp Coding Practices

> Use when authoring or reviewing Common Lisp, lisp-case naming, *earmuffs*/+constants+, SLIME indentation,:import-from packages, CLOS typed slots, defgeneric protocols, and ASDF test in CI.

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

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# Common Lisp Coding Practices

Application skill for Common Lisp style learning (from the archived `awesome-guidelines` style capsules). For Emacs Lisp, use `emacs-lisp-coding-practices` when ingested.

## Core Principle

Common Lisp quality is **idiomatic names + explicit packages + documented CLOS**, small libraries, exported APIs only, SLIME-consistent layout.

## When to Use / NOT

- Common Lisp libraries, ASDF systems, SBCL/CCL deployments.
- Setting up SLIME indent, SBCL warnings, ASDF test-op in CI.

**NOT when:**

- Clojure/Scheme/Racket, use language-specific practice skills.
- Generated system stubs only, validate generator.

## Workflow

1. **Format & files**, indent, columns, headers (`lisp-style-formatting-files.md`).
2. **Naming**, lisp-case, *, +, predicates (`lisp-style-naming-symbols.md`).
3. **Packages**, defpackage, ASDF (`lisp-style-packages-systems.md`).
4. **CLOS & control**, classes, when/unless (`lisp-style-clos-control.md`).
5. **Verify**, load/test system; SBCL `(declaim (optimize ...))` policy; review exports.

## Red Flags

- camelCase or snake_case symbols
- `:use` heavy packages (beyond `:cl`)
- `other-package::internal` in production
- Missing docstrings on exported API
- `slot-value` in application logic
- Unrelated generic function overloads
- Commented-out code blocks
- Monolithic system with no library boundaries
- Abbreviated symbol names

## Verification

- `asdf:test-system` / project test script
- SBCL compile with project warning policy
- SLIME/common-lisp-indent style check
- Capsule checklist on package export list


## References

- `awesome-guidelines/references/lisp-style-learning-note.md`
- `awesome-guidelines/references/lisp-style-formatting-files.md`
- `awesome-guidelines/references/lisp-style-naming-symbols.md`
- `awesome-guidelines/references/lisp-style-packages-systems.md`
- `awesome-guidelines/references/lisp-style-clos-control.md`