Python Full Dependency Tree

Resolve and return the complete set of packages that would be installed for a given Python package (entire transitive dependency tree), resolved for a specific Python version so environment markers are respected.

When to use

• User asks for "full dependency tree", "all dependencies", "transitive dependencies", or "install requirements" of a Python package.
• User needs the full picture of install-time dependencies (not just direct deps from metadata).
• User wants to understand the total footprint of a package in a container image or environment.
• Complement to python-packaging-complexity when the full resolved tree is needed beyond direct metadata.

When NOT to use

• User only needs direct (first-level) dependencies -- use python-packaging-complexity instead, which reads PyPI metadata without resolution.
• User is asking about build-time dependencies (e.g. setuptools, CMake, Cython) -- those are not included in install-time resolution.
• User is asking about dev/test dependencies (e.g. pytest, mypy) -- those are extras, not default install deps.
• User is asking about license, source, or build complexity analysis -- use the corresponding python-packaging-* skills.

Inputs

Instructions

When a user asks about the full dependency tree, all transitive dependencies, or install requirements for a Python package:

1. Run the helper script with the package name and optional version/Python version:

   bashCopy

   python3 scripts/resolve_full_deps.py <package> [version] [python_version]
   

   The script automatically tries uv pip compile first (fast, supports cross-version resolution). If uv is not installed, it falls back to pip install --dry-run --report in a temporary venv.

2. Present the output to the user:

   • Output is sorted alphabetically and deduplicated.
   • Each line is name==version with PEP 503 normalized names.
   • Warnings/errors go to stderr and should be relayed to the user.

3. Provide context based on the results:

   • Total number of transitive dependencies.
   • Notable packages in the tree (e.g. torch, numpy, cuda related packages).
   • If the user is assessing container image size or supply-chain risk, highlight the dependency count and any heavy packages.

Output format

Return a sorted, unique set of normalized dependencies. Include version unless the user asked for names only.

• One dependency per line: name==version
• Or as a list: ["package-a==1.0.0", "package-b==2.1.0"]

Example

$ python3 scripts/resolve_full_deps.py requests 2.32.3
certifi==2024.8.30
charset-normalizer==3.4.1
idna==3.10
requests==2.32.3
urllib3==2.3.0

Interpretation: requests 2.32.3 pulls in 4 transitive dependencies (5 total including itself).

Error handling

• uv not found: The script automatically falls back to pip. If the user sees a stderr warning about this, suggest installing uv for faster resolution.
• Package not found on PyPI: The script exits with a non-zero code and an error on stderr. Verify the package name spelling and whether a specific version exists.
• Network errors / timeouts: Both uv and pip need network access to PyPI. If resolution times out (150s), suggest retrying or checking network connectivity.
• pip version too old: The --report flag requires pip >= 22.2. If the fallback fails with an unrecognized argument error, advise upgrading pip.

Integration with other skills

• python-packaging-complexity: Use that skill first to get direct dependencies and build complexity, then use this skill to get the full transitive tree. Together they give a complete picture.
• python-packaging-license-checker / python-packaging-license-finder: After getting the full dep list from this skill, feed individual packages into the license skills to audit the entire tree.