# 582 API Design 18e5c85c

> Default parameter dangers, keyword-only arguments, ThreadPoolExecutor patterns, speculative test infrastructure.

- Skill: `tools-only/582-api-design-18e5c85c` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
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- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Integrations & APIs
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/582-api-design-18e5c85c

---


# API Design Reference

**Read when**: Adding default parameters, functions with 5+ params, using ThreadPoolExecutor

---

## Default Parameter Values Are Dangerous

> **Scope:** This rule applies to **function definitions** (`def foo(bar: bool = False)`), NOT to
> **function calls** where you pass an argument named `default` (e.g.,
> `click.confirm(default=True)`). Passing `default=True` to a function that accepts a `default`
> parameter is perfectly valid—you're not creating a default parameter value, you're explicitly
> providing a value.

**Avoid default parameter values unless absolutely necessary.** They are a significant source of
bugs.

**Why defaults are dangerous:**

1. **Silent incorrect behavior** - Callers forget to pass a parameter and get unexpected results
2. **Hidden coupling** - The default encodes an assumption that may not hold for all callers
3. **Audit difficulty** - Hard to verify all call sites are using the right value
4. **Refactoring hazard** - Adding a new parameter with a default doesn't trigger errors at existing
   call sites

```python
# DANGEROUS: Default that might be wrong for some callers
def process_file(path: Path, encoding: str = "utf-8") -> str:
    return path.read_text(encoding=encoding)

# Caller forgets encoding, silently gets wrong behavior for legacy file
content = process_file(legacy_latin1_file)  # Bug: should be encoding="latin-1"

# SAFER: Require explicit choice
def process_file(path: Path, encoding: str) -> str:
    return path.read_text(encoding=encoding)

# Caller must think about encoding
content = process_file(legacy_latin1_file, encoding="latin-1")
```

**When you discover a default is never overridden, eliminate it:**

```python
# If every call site uses the default...
activate_worktree(ctx, repo, path, script, "up", preserve_relative_path=True)  # Always True
activate_worktree(ctx, repo, path, script, "down", preserve_relative_path=True)  # Always True

# CORRECT: Remove the parameter entirely
def activate_worktree(ctx, repo, path, script, command_name) -> None:
    # Always preserve relative path - it's just the behavior
    ...
```

**Acceptable uses of defaults:**

1. **Truly optional behavior** - Where the default is correct for 95%+ of callers
2. **Backwards compatibility** - When adding a parameter to existing API (temporary)
3. **Test helper functions** - Functions in `tests/test_utils/` that exist to reduce test
   boilerplate are explicitly exempt. These helpers often wrap complex constructors (like
   `format_plan_header_body`) with sensible defaults, and having many default parameters is their
   intended purpose—not a code smell

**When reviewing code with defaults, ask:**

- Do all call sites actually want this default?
- Would a caller forgetting this parameter cause a bug?
- Is there a safer design that makes the choice explicit?

---

## Keyword-Only Arguments for Complex Functions

**Functions with 5 or more parameters MUST use keyword-only arguments.**

Use the `*` separator after the first positional parameter to enforce keyword-only at the language
level. This improves call-site readability by forcing explicit parameter names.

```python
# CORRECT: Keyword-only after first param
def fetch_data(
    url,
    *,
    timeout: float,
    retries: int,
    headers: dict[str, str],
    auth_token: str,
) -> Response:
    ...

# Call site is self-documenting
response = fetch_data(
    api_url,
    timeout=30.0,
    retries=3,
    headers={"Accept": "application/json"},
    auth_token=token,
)

# WRONG: All positional parameters
def fetch_data(
    url,
    timeout: float,
    retries: int,
    headers: dict[str, str],
    auth_token: str,
) -> Response:
    ...

# Call site is unreadable - what do these values mean?
response = fetch_data(api_url, 30.0, 3, {"Accept": "application/json"}, token)
```

**Exceptions:**

1. **`self`** - Always positional (Python requirement)
2. **`ctx` / context objects** - Can remain positional as the first parameter (convention)
3. **ABC/Protocol methods** - Exempt to avoid forcing all implementations to change signatures
4. **Click callbacks** - Click injects parameters; follow Click conventions

```python
# CORRECT: ctx stays positional, rest are keyword-only
def create_worktree(
    ctx: ErkContext,
    *,
    branch_name: str,
    base_branch: str,
    path: Path,
    checkout: bool,
) -> WorktreeInfo:
    ...
```

---

## ThreadPoolExecutor.submit() Pattern

`ThreadPoolExecutor.submit()` passes arguments positionally to the callable. For functions with
keyword-only parameters, wrap the call in a lambda:

```python
# WRONG: submit() passes args positionally - fails with keyword-only functions
future = executor.submit(fetch_data, url, timeout, retries, headers, token)

# CORRECT: Lambda enables keyword arguments
future = executor.submit(
    lambda: fetch_data(
        url,
        timeout=timeout,
        retries=retries,
        headers=headers,
        auth_token=token,
    )
)
```

---

## Speculative Test Infrastructure

**Don't add parameters to fakes "just in case" they might be useful for testing.**

Fakes should mirror production interfaces. Adding test-only configuration knobs that never get used
creates dead code and false complexity.

```python
# WRONG: Test-only parameter that's never used in production
class FakeGitHub:
    def __init__(
        self,
        prs: dict[str, PullRequestInfo] | None = None,
        rate_limited: bool = False,  # "Might test this later"
    ) -> None:
        self._rate_limited = rate_limited  # Never set to True anywhere

# CORRECT: Only add infrastructure when you need it
class FakeGitHub:
    def __init__(
        self,
        prs: dict[str, PullRequestInfo] | None = None,
    ) -> None:
        ...
```

**The test for this:** If grep shows a parameter is only ever passed in test files, and those tests
are testing hypothetical scenarios rather than actual production behavior, delete both the parameter
and the tests.

---

## Speculative Tests

```python
# FORBIDDEN: Tests for future features
# def test_feature_we_might_add():
#     pass

# CORRECT: TDD for current implementation
def test_feature_being_built_now():
    result = new_feature()
    assert result == expected
```

---

## Decision Checklist

Before adding a default parameter value:

- [ ] Do 95%+ of callers actually want this default?
- [ ] Would forgetting to pass this parameter cause a subtle bug?
- [ ] Is there a safer design that makes the choice explicit?
- [ ] If the default is never overridden anywhere, should this parameter exist at all?

**Default: Require explicit values; eliminate unused defaults**

Before adding a function with 5+ parameters:

- [ ] Have I added `*` after the first (or ctx) parameter?
- [ ] Is only `self`/`ctx` positional?
- [ ] Is this an ABC/Protocol method? (exempt from rule)
- [ ] If using ThreadPoolExecutor.submit(), am I using a lambda wrapper?

**Default: All parameters after the first should be keyword-only**