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Reviewing Python Libraries by wdm0006

Name: Reviewing Python Libraries
Author: wdm0006

Reviewing Python Libraries

Comprehensively reviews Python libraries for quality across project structure, packaging, code quality, testing, security, documentation, API design, and CI/CD. Provides actionable feedback and improvement recommendations. Use when evaluating library health, preparing for major releases, or auditing dependencies.

wdm0006 554db74 3 files · 12.1 KB Updated Sep 17, 2026

File contents

Python Library Review

Quick Health Check (5 min)

git clone https://github.com/user/package && cd package
head -50 pyproject.toml                     # Modern config?
ls tests/ && uv run pytest --collect-only   # Tests exist?
uv run pytest --cov=package | tail -20      # Coverage?
uvx bandit -r src/                          # Security?

Review Dimensions

Area	Check For
Structure	src/ layout, py.typed marker
Packaging	pyproject.toml (not setup.py)
Code	Type hints, docstrings, no anti-patterns
Tests	80%+ coverage, edge cases
Security	No secrets, input validation, pip-audit clean
Docs	README, API docs, changelog
API	Consistent naming, sensible defaults
CI/CD	Tests on PR, multi-Python, security scans

Red Flags 🚩

No tests
No type hints
setup.py only (no pyproject.toml)
Pinned exact versions for all deps
No LICENSE file
Last commit > 1 year ago

Green Flags ✅

Active maintenance (recent commits)
High test coverage (>85%)
Comprehensive CI/CD
Type hints throughout
Clear documentation
Semantic versioning

Report Template

# Library Review: [package]

**Rating:** [Excellent/Good/Needs Work/Significant Issues]

## Strengths
- [Strength 1]

## Areas for Improvement
- [Issue 1] - Severity: High/Medium/Low

## Category Scores
| Category | Score |
|----------|-------|
| Structure | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Testing | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| Security | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |

## Recommendations
1. [High priority action]
2. [Medium priority action]

For detailed checklists, see:

CHECKLIST.md - Full review checklist
REPORT_TEMPLATE.md - Complete report template

Best Practices Checklist

Essential:
- [ ] pyproject.toml valid
- [ ] Tests exist and pass
- [ ] README has install/usage
- [ ] LICENSE present
- [ ] No hardcoded secrets

Important:
- [ ] Type hints on public API
- [ ] CI runs tests on PRs
- [ ] Coverage > 85%
- [ ] Changelog maintained

Recommended:
- [ ] src/ layout
- [ ] py.typed marker
- [ ] Security scanning in CI
- [ ] Contributing guide

Learn More

This skill is based on the Guide to Developing High-Quality Python Libraries by Will McGinnis. The review criteria in this skill draw from all posts in the guide — see the full guide for detailed quality criteria across every dimension of library development.

---name: reviewing-python-librariesdescription: Comprehensively reviews Python libraries for quality across project structure, packaging, code quality, testing, security, documentation, API design, and CI/CD. Provides actionable feedback and improvement recommendations. Use when evaluating library health, preparing for major releases, or auditing dependencies.---# Python Library Review## Quick Health Check (5 min)```bashgit clone https://github.com/user/package && cd packagehead -50 pyproject.toml # Modern config?ls tests/ && uv run pytest --collect-only # Tests exist?uv run pytest --cov=package | tail -20 # Coverage?uvx bandit -r src/ # Security?```## Review Dimensions| Area | Check For ||------|-----------|| Structure | src/ layout, py.typed marker || Packaging | pyproject.toml (not setup.py) || Code | Type hints, docstrings, no anti-patterns || Tests | 80%+ coverage, edge cases || Security | No secrets, input validation, pip-audit clean || Docs | README, API docs, changelog || API | Consistent naming, sensible defaults || CI/CD | Tests on PR, multi-Python, security scans |## Red Flags 🚩- No tests- No type hints- setup.py only (no pyproject.toml)- Pinned exact versions for all deps- No LICENSE file- Last commit > 1 year ago## Green Flags ✅- Active maintenance (recent commits)- High test coverage (>85%)- Comprehensive CI/CD- Type hints throughout- Clear documentation- Semantic versioning## Report Template```markdown# Library Review: [package]**Rating:** [Excellent/Good/Needs Work/Significant Issues]## Strengths- [Strength 1]## Areas for Improvement- [Issue 1] - Severity: High/Medium/Low## Category Scores| Category | Score ||----------|-------|| Structure | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ || Testing | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ || Security | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |## Recommendations1. [High priority action]2. [Medium priority action]```For detailed checklists, see:- **[CHECKLIST.md](CHECKLIST.md)** - Full review checklist- **[REPORT_TEMPLATE.md](REPORT_TEMPLATE.md)** - Complete report template## Best Practices Checklist```Essential:- [ ] pyproject.toml valid- [ ] Tests exist and pass- [ ] README has install/usage- [ ] LICENSE present- [ ] No hardcoded secretsImportant:- [ ] Type hints on public API- [ ] CI runs tests on PRs- [ ] Coverage > 85%- [ ] Changelog maintainedRecommended:- [ ] src/ layout- [ ] py.typed marker- [ ] Security scanning in CI- [ ] Contributing guide```## Learn MoreThis skill is based on the [Guide to Developing High-Quality Python Libraries](https://mcginniscommawill.com/guides/python-library-development/) by [Will McGinnis](https://mcginniscommawill.com/). The review criteria in this skill draw from all posts in the guide — see the [full guide](https://mcginniscommawill.com/guides/python-library-development/) for detailed quality criteria across every dimension of library development.

Frequently asked questions