# Sniffable Python > How to mark and sniff Python (and other files) at multiple depths. Moo and other tools use this convention. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/sniffable-python` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/sniffable-python` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/sniffable-python/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/sniffable-python --- # Sniffable Python — depth levels and abstractions How to mark and sniff Python (and other files) at multiple depths. Moo and other tools use this convention. --- ## 1. Sniff depth levels (three, extensible) Three standard **depth levels** for structural sniffing. Higher depth includes all lower levels. | Level | Name | Numeric | Python: what is included | |-------|------------|---------|---------------------------| | 1 | **glance** | 1 | Section comments: `# ---`, `# SECTION`, `# UPPERCASE_LABEL`, `# Title Case` (single-line). Module-level outline only. | | 2 | **structure** | 2 | Glance + `class`, `def`, `async def`, `@decorator`. The skeleton of the file. | | 3 | **full** | 3 | Structure + any other line the sniffer classifies as "smelly" (structural). Everything the sniffer emits. | - **glance** — Smallest useful outline (sections only). Good for indexes and "what's in this file?" - **structure** — Default for "show me the shape": classes and functions, plus sections. - **full** — No filtering; all smelly lines. Use when you want every structural line. Other levels or names are allowed: tools should accept numeric depth (1, 2, 3, …) or canonical names (glance, structure, full) and may support file-type-specific semantics. --- ## 2. Marking Python (optional override) By default, the sniffer assigns depth by **line kind** (section = 1, class/def/decorator = 2, rest = 3). Authors can override with a comment on the **previous line**: - `# SNIFF: 1` or `# SNIFF: glance` — next line is treated as depth 1 (glance). - `# SNIFF: 2` or `# SNIFF: structure` — next line is depth 2. - `# SNIFF: 3` or `# SNIFF: full` — next line is depth 3. Alternative form: - `# depth: glance` / `# depth: structure` / `# depth: full` Only the line **immediately following** the comment is overridden. Use to promote a line into a shallower depth (e.g. a key function into glance) or to demote (e.g. treat a decorator as full-only). --- ## 3. Other file types Depth semantics can differ by type: - **YAML**: e.g. glance = top-level keys, structure = keys + list markers, full = all key/list lines. - **Markdown**: glance = H1–H2, structure = H1–H4, full = all headers. - **TS/JS**: glance = export lines, structure = export + function/class/interface, full = all smelly. Moo (and this skill) define the Python mapping explicitly; other types may be added with their own depth tables. The same numeric/name convention (1/2/3, glance/structure/full) is reused where it fits. --- ## 4. Abstractions beyond depth Beyond structural depth, files can have **abstractions** that are not just "which lines to show": - **description** — One-line description (e.g. from docstring or a tag). Could be first docstring line or `# description: ...`. - **glance** — Short human or generated summary (e.g. GLANCE.yml content, or a cached one-liner). - **LLM summary** — A model-generated summary of the file, cached locally (e.g. under `.moollm/skills/moo/cache/` or similar). Keyed by (repo, branch, path, abstract_type). Moo can call an LLM (e.g. Gemini) to produce and cache this. These are **not** depth levels; they are separate axes. A tool might offer: - `moo sniff --depth glance` — structural outline only. - `moo summarize` or `moo abstract --kind summary` — LLM summary, with caching and optional `--provider gemini`. Design leaves room for more abstraction kinds and providers without overloading the depth semantics. --- ## 5. Moo integration - **Sniff**: `moo sniff ... --depth glance|structure|full` (or `--depth 1|2|3`). Emits only lines at or above the requested depth. Default: structure (2). - **Summarize**: `moo summarize ... [--provider gemini] [--model MODEL]` — calls LLM, caches under moo cache, prints summary. Requires API key (e.g. GEMINI_API_KEY) and optional `google-genai` (or REST). Part of MOOLLM. See repo README and skills/README. --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/simhacker) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.