MCPInstall

python-error-handling

Python error handling patterns including input validation, exception hierarchies, and partial failure handling. Use when implementing validation logic, designing exception strategies, handling batch processing failures, or building robust APIs.

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Install

Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.

npx skills add https://github.com/full-stack-skills/python-skills --skill python-error-handling
  1. 01

    Install

    Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.

  2. 02

    Describe the task

    Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads python-error-handling automatically when relevant.

  3. 03

    Review the result

    The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.

SKILL.md

The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.

来源声明:本技能内容源自 wshobson/agents (MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 Seth Hobson;完整许可文本见同目录 LICENSE.txt)。 使用、修改与再分发须遵守该 MIT 许可条款并保留版权声明。

中文描述

本技能提供全栈开发相关的最佳实践和模式指导。


name: python-error-handling description: Python error handling patterns including input validation, exception hierarchies, and partial failure handling. Use when implementing validation logic, designing exception strategies, handling batch processing failures, or building robust APIs.

Python Error Handling

Build robust Python applications with proper input validation, meaningful exceptions, and graceful failure handling. Good error handling makes debugging easier and systems more reliable.

When to Use This Skill

  • Validating user input and API parameters
  • Designing exception hierarchies for applications
  • Handling partial failures in batch operations
  • Converting external data to domain types
  • Building user-friendly error messages
  • Implementing fail-fast validation patterns

Core Concepts

1. Fail Fast

Validate inputs early, before expensive operations. Report all validation errors at once when possible.

2. Meaningful Exceptions

Use appropriate exception types with context. Messages should explain what failed, why, and how to fix it.

3. Partial Failures

In batch operations, don't let one failure abort everything. Track successes and failures separately.

4. Preserve Context

Chain exceptions to maintain the full error trail for debugging.

Quick Start

def fetch_page(url: str, page_size: int) -> Page:
    if not url:
        raise ValueError("'url' is required")
    if not 1 <= page_size <= 100:
        raise ValueError(f"'page_size' must be 1-100, got {page_size}")
    # Now safe to proceed...

Fundamental Patterns

Pattern 1: Early Input Validation

Validate all inputs at API boundaries before any processing begins.

def process_order(
    order_id: str,
    quantity: int,
    discount_percent: float,
) -> OrderResult:
    """Process an order with validation."""
    # Validate required fields
    if not order_id:
        raise ValueError("'order_id' is required")

    # Validate ranges
    if quantity <= 0:
        raise ValueError(f"'quantity' must be positive, got {quantity}")

    if not 0 <= discount_percent <= 100:
        raise ValueError(
            f"'discount_percent' must be 0-100, got {discount_percent}"
        )

    # Validation passed, proceed with processing
    return _process_validated_order(order_id, quantity, discount_percent)

Pattern 2: Convert to Domain Types Early

Parse strings and external data into typed domain objects at system boundaries.

from enum import Enum

class OutputFormat(Enum):
    JSON = "json"
    CSV = "csv"
    PARQUET = "parquet"

def parse_output_format(value: str) -> OutputFormat:
    """Parse string to OutputFormat enum.

    Args:
        value: Format string from user input.

    Returns:
        Validated OutputFormat enum member.

    Raises:
        ValueError: If format is not recognized.
    """
    try:
        return OutputFormat(value.lower())
    except ValueError:
        valid_formats = [f.value for f in OutputFormat]
        raise ValueError(
            f"Invalid format '{value}'. "
            f"Valid options: {', '.join(valid_formats)}"
        )

# Usage at API boundary
def export_data(data: list[dict], format_str: str) -> bytes:
    output_format = parse_output_format(format_str)  # Fail fast
    # Rest of function uses typed OutputFormat
    ...

Pattern 3: Pydantic for Complex Validation

Use Pydantic models for structured input validation with automatic error messages.

from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, field_validator

class CreateUserInput(BaseModel):
    """Input model for user creation."""

    email: str = Field(..., min_length=5, max_length=255)
    name: str = Field(..., min_length=1, max_length=100)
    age: int = Field(ge=0, le=150)

    @field_validator("email")
    @classmethod
    def validate_email_format(cls, v: str) -> str:
        if "@" not in v or "." not in v.split("@")[-1]:
            raise ValueError("Invalid email format")
        return v.lower()

    @field_validator("name")
    @classmethod
    def normalize_name(cls, v: str) -> str:
        return v.strip().title()

# Usage
try:
    user_input = CreateUserInput(
        email="user@example.com",
        name="john doe",
        age=25,
    )
except ValidationError as e:
    # Pydantic provides detailed error information
    print(e.errors())

Pattern 4: Map Errors to Standard Exceptions

Use Python's built-in exception types appropriately, adding context as needed.

Failure TypeExceptionExample
Invalid inputValueErrorBad parameter values
Wrong typeTypeErrorExpected string, got int
Missing itemKeyErrorDict key not found
Operational failureRuntimeErrorService unavailable
TimeoutTimeoutErrorOperation took too long
File not foundFileNotFoundErrorPath doesn't exist
Permission deniedPermissionErrorAccess forbidden
# Good: Specific exception with context
raise ValueError(f"'page_size' must be 1-100, got {page_size}")

# Avoid: Generic exception, no context
raise Exception("Invalid parameter")

Detailed worked examples and patterns

Detailed sections (starting with ## Advanced Patterns) live in references/details.md. Read that file when the navigation summary above is insufficient.

Best Practices Summary

  1. Validate early - Check inputs before expensive operations
  2. Use specific exceptions - ValueError, TypeError, not generic Exception
  3. Include context - Messages should explain what, why, and how to fix
  4. Convert types at boundaries - Parse strings to enums/domain types early
  5. Chain exceptions - Use raise ... from e to preserve debug info
  6. Handle partial failures - Don't abort batches on single item errors
  7. Use Pydantic - For complex input validation with structured errors
  8. Document failure modes - Docstrings should list possible exceptions
  9. Log with context - Include IDs, counts, and other debugging info
  10. Test error paths - Verify exceptions are raised correctly

工作流程

Step 1: 需求分析

理解项目需求和技术约束

Step 2: 架构设计

设计系统架构和组件划分

Step 3: 实现指导

提供具体的实现建议和代码模式

Step 4: 代码审查

审查代码质量和最佳实践遵循情况

Step 5: 优化建议

提供性能优化和改进建议

Gotchas

1. 过度设计

避免在简单场景中使用复杂的设计模式

2. 性能忽视

不要忽视性能优化,特别是在生产环境中

3. 安全考虑

始终考虑安全性和数据保护

4. 测试覆盖

确保有足够的测试覆盖,特别是边界情况

5. 文档维护

保持文档与代码同步更新

FAQ

What does the python-error-handling skill do?

Python error handling patterns including input validation, exception hierarchies, and partial failure handling. Use when implementing validation logic, designing exception strategies, handling batch processing failures, or building robust APIs.

How do I install python-error-handling?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/full-stack-skills/python-skills --skill python-error-handling in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/python-error-handling/ (personal) or .claude/skills/python-error-handling/ (project).

Which AI agents can use python-error-handling?

Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.

Is python-error-handling safe to install?

No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.

Who maintains python-error-handling?

It is published by full-stack-skills in full-stack-skills/python-skills. It has 96 recorded installs.

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