Python Shebang Validation

The model validates Python shebangs against dependency requirements and ensures correct PEP 723 inline script metadata.

Arguments

$ARGUMENTS

Instructions

If file paths provided above:

1. Read each file using the Read tool
2. Check for shebang presence and correctness
3. Validate against the rules below
4. Check execute bit status
5. Fix any misalignments with this guidance
6. Report findings for each file

If no arguments provided:

1. Ask the user which files or directories need shebang validation
2. Suggest searching for Python files that might need shebangs
3. Offer to check if existing shebangs are correct

Shebang Selection Rules

Rule 1: Stdlib-only executable scripts

Pattern: #!/usr/bin/env python3

Conditions:

• File is executable
• Has no external dependencies
• Uses only Python standard library

Reasoning: No dependency installation required, standard Python interpreter sufficient.

Rule 2: Package executables

Pattern: #!/usr/bin/env python3

Conditions:

• File is part of installed package
• Has setup.py or pyproject.toml managing dependencies

Reasoning: Dependencies installed via package manager, not script metadata.

Rule 3: Standalone scripts with external dependencies

Pattern: #!/usr/bin/env -S uv --quiet run --active --script

Conditions:

• File is executable standalone script
• Requires external packages

Reasoning: PEP 723 inline metadata declares dependencies, uv installs them automatically.

Rule 4: Non-executable files

Pattern: No shebang line

Conditions:

• File is library module
• Imported by other code
• Not directly executable

Reasoning: Not intended for direct execution.

UV Shebang Command Structure

The shebang: #!/usr/bin/env -S uv --quiet run --active --script

Component Breakdown

Command Syntax Pattern

uv [GLOBAL_FLAGS] SUBCOMMAND [SUBCOMMAND_FLAGS] [ARGS]

Flag Ordering Rule

Global flags modify the uv binary behavior and MUST appear before the subcommand. Subcommand flags modify that specific subcommand's behavior and MUST appear after the subcommand.

Valid: uv --quiet run --active --script Invalid: uv run --quiet --active --script (--quiet is global flag)

Invalid Variations

The model MUST reject these malformed shebangs:

• #!/usr/bin/env -S uv run --quiet --active --script (--quiet in wrong position)
• #!/usr/bin/env -S uv --quiet run --script (missing --active)
• #!/usr/bin/env -S uv run --active --script (missing --quiet)
• #!/usr/bin/env -S uv --quiet --active run --script (--active in wrong position)

Execute Bit Requirement

All files with shebangs MUST have execute permission set.

chmod +x filename

Without execute bit, the shebang is ignored by the kernel.

Mandatory Verification Format

For each file, output in this exact order:

1. Current shebang: [exact line from file or "none"]
2. PEP 723 metadata dependencies: [exact list or "none"]
3. External package count: [number with evidence]
4. Import analysis:
   • stdlib: [list]
   • external: [list]
5. Rule condition evaluation:
   • Rule 1: [condition 1 MET/NOT MET] [condition 2 MET/NOT MET] [condition 3 MET/NOT MET]
   • Rule 2: [condition 1 MET/NOT MET] [condition 2 MET/NOT MET]
   • Rule 3: [condition 1 MET/NOT MET] [condition 2 MET/NOT MET]
   • Rule 4: [condition 1 MET/NOT MET]
6. Applicable rule: [number] because [one-sentence justification citing specific unmet/met conditions]
7. Execute bit: [executable/not executable via test command]
8. Verdict: CORRECT / INCORRECT [if incorrect, Edit the file to fix]

Transformation Examples

Example 1: Remove redundant PEP 723 from stdlib-only script

Before (invalid - no external dependencies):

#!/usr/bin/env -S uv --quiet run --active --script
# /// script
# requires-python = ">=3.11"
# dependencies = []
# ///

from __future__ import annotations

import re
from pathlib import Path

After (corrected):

#!/usr/bin/env python3

from __future__ import annotations

import re
from pathlib import Path

Example 2: Add PEP 723 to script with external dependencies

Before (invalid - missing PEP 723):

#!/usr/bin/env python

from __future__ import annotations

from pathlib import Path
from typing import Annotated

import typer
from rich.console import Console
from rich.panel import Panel

After (corrected):

#!/usr/bin/env -S uv --quiet run --active --script
# /// script
# requires-python = ">=3.11"
# dependencies = [
#     "typer>=0.19.2",
# ]
# ///

from __future__ import annotations

from pathlib import Path
from typing import Annotated

import typer
from rich.console import Console
from rich.panel import Panel

References

• PEP 723 - Inline Script Metadata
• uv CLI Reference
• uv run Subcommand