GEODE Code Conventions

Use this skill to make a convention decision against the current repository, not against a generic Python style guide.

Canonical reference

docs/architecture/naming-conventions.md is the detailed convention SOT. Do not copy its tables into this skill.

Progressive disclosure

Always read the SOT introduction, evidence snapshot, and review checklist. Then read only the sections that match the change:

Decision	Read
requirements, plans, acceptance, backend claims, or scaffold removal	Requirements, plans, and evidence
ownership, layers, or abstraction level	§1 Architecture and §6 Imports
package, file, function, class, tool, event, or React naming	§2 Packages, files, and symbols
public hooks, middleware, or runtime events	Hook contracts: canonical names, decision authority, callers, and regression checks
Python data form, typing, construction, or lifecycle	§3 Python typing and class design
persisted data, schema identity, or writer/reader compatibility	§4 Data, schemas, and persistence
errors, logging, redaction, or trust boundaries	§5 Errors, logging, and trust boundaries
test placement or verification design	§7 Tests and verification
Next.js or public-site code	§8 Site conventions
package version, compatibility, or promotion	§9 Versioning and compatibility

Follow every applicable row for a cross-cutting change. Read the whole SOT only when auditing or changing the convention system itself.

Executable configuration remains authoritative:

• pyproject.toml for Ruff, mypy, pytest, import-linter, dependency, security, and coverage gates;
• AGENTS.md and docs/workflow.md for repository workflow;
• site/DESIGN.md, site/tsconfig.json, and site/eslint.config.mjs for the public site;
• the subsystem contract nearest the changed code for local invariants.

Workflow

1. Locate ownership. Identify the top-level root and the package that owns the decision. Confirm allowed dependency direction before naming anything.
2. Inspect siblings. Search the nearest canonical modules, their tests, and their public imports. Classify an apparent pattern as required, preferred, compatibility-only, or historical.
3. Choose the smallest form. Prefer a function, focused module, dataclass, or concrete class before adding a Protocol, registry, factory, or package.
4. Separate identities. Keep module names, Python types, persisted schema IDs, protocol versions, algorithm versions, and package versions as distinct decisions.
5. Apply symmetrically. Update imports, exports, tests, registries, schema validators, docs, and generated mirrors that share the contract. Do not add an alias unless a released consumer needs the documented grace period.
6. Audit the diff. Search for the old name, parent-relative imports, generic catch-all names, unbounded Any, hidden mutation, missing teardown, stale schema IDs, and version stamp drift.
7. Verify proportionally. Run the targeted behavior test and the exact static/build gates for every touched language and layer. Report what did not run.

Decision rules

• Package context removes redundant filename prefixes; persisted artifact identity does not change merely because a module moved.
• Protocol is the normal structural port. Use ABC only for a shared template algorithm with real subclass hooks.
• Use frozen/slotted dataclasses for immutable internal values, Pydantic at validated external/config/LLM boundaries, TypedDict for deliberately dict-shaped bridges, and StrEnum for reusable closed persisted vocabularies.
• Keep Any at the untyped boundary and narrow it immediately.
• Use absolute imports across boundaries; allow only level-one relative imports inside a tightly coupled local package.
• Give every persisted record one authority, schema identity, validator, and version axis. Writers emit current schemas; legacy readers are explicit.
• Treat observed zero/false/empty values separately from missing None/null.
• Keep direct output in CLIs and scripts; library modules use structured, redacted logging.
• Prefer async-native runtime I/O and explicit ownership of offloaded work; apply §§3.3 and 5 to cancellation, terminal persistence, IPC error propagation, auth authority, and bounded diagnostic fields.
• Mirror production package paths in tests and prove wiring pairs together.
• Routine post-1.0 releases are PATCH; MINOR/MAJOR require operator approval.

Specialist routing

Use this skill with, rather than instead of:

Need	Skill or SOT
implementation and GitFlow	$geode-workflow
dependency cycles or layer violations	$dependency-review
Python quality and lifecycle review	$code-review-quality
schema/log/event/trajectory consistency	$geode-workflow observability reference
evaluation artifacts	$geode-eval
model-facing prompt text	$prompt-writing
changelog or release version	$geode-changelog

Output contract

State the ownership, selected convention, local precedent, compatibility impact, and verification evidence. If deviating, name the exact rule, explain why the local contract is stronger, and keep the exception scoped to the introducing change.