{"categories":[{"label":"Libraries","url":"https://skillfed.io/packages/category/software-development-libraries/3"},{"label":"Utilities","url":"https://skillfed.io/packages/category/utilities/3"}],"enrichment":{"capability":"Plac generates command-line interfaces from Python function signatures, automatically handling argument parsing, help text generation, and parameter validation without external dependencies.","skillfed_tags":["cli-generation","argument-parsing","zero-dependency"],"use_cases":["Build a simple CLI script from a Python function without writing argparse boilerplate","Generate help and usage messages automatically from function signatures and docstrings","Create command-line tools that accept positional arguments, options, and flags with minimal decorator overhead","Embed plac_core.py directly in a package to eliminate external CLI dependencies","Prototype command-line interfaces quickly during development or data analysis workflows"],"what_it_does":"Plac is a command-line argument parser that infers CLI structure directly from Python function signatures. Instead of writing separate argument-parsing code, you decorate a function and plac automatically generates help text, validates inputs, and maps command-line arguments to function parameters. It works across Python 2.6 through modern Python 3 versions and has no external dependencies\u2014the core functionality lives in a single module that can be embedded in your own code if needed.\n\nThe package is designed for developers who want minimal boilerplate when building CLI tools. You can use simple function signatures for basic cases, or apply decorators (@plac.pos, @plac.opt, @plac.flg) for finer control over positional arguments, options, and flags. It handles variable arguments (*args, **kwds) and supports features like argument choices, type conversion, and help text generation from docstrings.","worth_installing":"Yes. Plac is stable, dependency-free, actively maintained, and solves a real problem\u2014turning functions into CLIs with minimal code. It's ideal for scripts, prototypes, and tools where you want argument parsing without the verbosity of argparse. The permissive BSD license and low install friction make it a low-risk addition. Consider it if you're building CLI tools and want to keep boilerplate minimal."},"id":"plac","links":{"html":"https://skillfed.io/packages/plac","md":"https://skillfed.io/packages/plac.md","pypi":"https://pypi.org/project/plac/"},"maintenance":{"status":"active"},"meta":{"latest_release":"2025-04-04","license_spdx":null,"license_treatment":"permissive","name":"plac","python_support":"unspecified","summary":"The smartest command line arguments parser in the world"},"popularity":{"monthly_downloads":2178574,"position":3229,"tier":"top_5000"},"security":{"n_vulnerabilities":0},"version":"1.4.5"}