Python — 144 Operations for AI Agents

This page is the canonical reference an AI coding agent uses to refactor, query, and analyze Python code through the act MCP server. 144 operations available: 70 refactor, 18 query, 42 analysis, 14 verification. Each operation is callable from Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, OpenCode, or any MCP-compatible agent host. Click any operation for a stable anchor link suitable for citation.

18Query

70Refactor

42Analysis

14Verify

Worked Python examples

act101 follows Python's own conventions instead of imposing generic ones. An else clause that survives only because its if branch already returns gets removed and de-indented, and an else: block holding nothing but a single nested if flattens into an elif — in a tail position or mid-chain alike. Both rewrites reduce indentation or line count without changing what the function returns, matching PEP 8's own preference for the flatter, more direct form. Each example below is the verbatim output of the command shown, run against the file shown.

Flatten a mid-chain else-if into elif

sign.py classifies x with if x > 0: … else: if x < 0: … else: … — the inner if is the only statement in its else block.

$ act refactor-lang move_else_to_elif --file sign.py --params '{"line":3,"column":1}'

Before

if x > 0:
    result = "positive"
else:
    if x < 0:
        result = "negative"
    else:
        result = "zero"

After

if x > 0:
    result = "positive"
elif x < 0:
    result = "negative"
else:
    result = "zero"

The else: line and its nested if x < 0: collapse into elif x < 0:, keeping the final else for the zero case; the assignments themselves do not move.

Remove an else clause that only survives because if already returns

get_label always returns from the if branch, so the trailing else is dead weight.

$ act refactor-lang remove_unnecessary_else --file labels.py --params '{"line":3,"column":5}'

Before

def get_label(value):
    if value is None:
        return "empty"
    else:
        return str(value)

After

def get_label(value):
    if value is None:
        return "empty"
    return str(value)

The else: is removed and return str(value) de-indents to the function body — same behavior, one line shorter.

Flatten a nested else-if into elif

categorize's else: block holds nothing but a single nested if n > 10: ... else: ..., one indentation level deeper than it needs to be.

$ act refactor-lang move_else_to_elif --file categorize.py --params '{"line":4,"column":5}'

Before

def categorize(n):
    if n > 100:
        category = "large"
    else:
        if n > 10:
            category = "medium"
        else:
            category = "small"
    return category

After

def categorize(n):
    if n > 100:
        category = "large"
    elif n > 10:
        category = "medium"
    else:
        category = "small"
    return category

The else: line and its nested if n > 10: collapse into a single elif n > 10:, dropping one level of nesting; the large/medium/small branches and the trailing return category are unchanged.

Query

18 query tools, the same on every supported language. Descriptions live in the shared reference: /docs/query-tools.

callers control_flow data_flow definition diagnostics effect_closure effect_summary fix_auto get_type graph import_organize interface mutations references repo_outline skeleton symbols symbols_batch

Refactor

Operation	Description
`add-decorator`	Add decorator to function/class
`add-import`	Add an import statement for a fully-qualified class path
`add-return-statement`	Add a return statement to a function
`add-type-annotation`	Add type annotation to parameter or return type
`add-type-hints`	Add type hints to function parameters
`change-signature`	Change function signature: parameters and return type
`change-visibility`	Change visibility/access modifier
`combine`	Combine statements
`convert-comprehension`	Convert between loop and comprehension
`convert-for`	Convert for loop patterns
`convert-fstring`	Convert to f-string formatting
`convert-if-else`	Convert between if-else patterns
`convert-if-to-ternary`	Convert if-else statement to ternary expression
`convert-is-operator`	Convert an instanceof-style check using the is operator
`convert-sync`	Convert async function to synchronous
`convert-ternary`	Convert ternary expressions and conditionals
`convert-ternary-to-if-else`	Convert ternary expression to if-else statement
`convert-to-async`	Convert synchronous code to async
`convert-to-dataclass`	Convert class to dataclass
`convert-var-to-const`	Convert variable to constant
`delete`	Delete unused symbol
`encapsulate`	Encapsulate field with getter/setter
`extract-class`	Extract methods/fields to new class
`extract-constant`	Extract value to named constant
`extract-function`	Extract code into a new function
`extract-interface`	Create interface from class
`extract-variable`	Extract expression to variable
`extract_function`	Extract a code selection into a new function — automatically infers parameters, return types, and inserts the call site. Use instead of manually cutting/pasting code. Works without LSP; LSP improves type inference. Params: file (string), new_name (string), start_line (u32), start_column (u32), end_line (u32), end_column (u32) [, preview (bool), receipt (bool)]
`extract_variable`	Extract an expression into a named variable — inserts the declaration and replaces the expression with the variable name. Works without LSP. Params: file (string), new_name (string), start_line (u32), start_column (u32), end_line (u32), end_column (u32) [, preview (bool)]
`generate-accessors`	Generate getters/setters for fields
`generate-builder`	Generate builder class for target class
`generate-constructor`	Generate constructor from fields
`generate-docstring`	Generate docstring for function/class
`generate-equals`	Generate __eq__ method
`generate-hash`	Generate __hash__ method
`generate-init`	Generate __init__ method
`generate-repr`	Generate __repr__ method
`generate-tests`	Generate test function stubs
`generate-to-json`	Generate JSON serialization from fields
`generate-to-string`	Generate __str__ method
`import-add`	Add import statement
`import-alias`	Add or change import alias
`import-organize`	Organize imports in PEP 8 style
`import-remove`	Remove unused import statement
`inline`	Inline a variable, function, or method — replace every usage with its definition body, then remove the original. The inverse of extract. Works without LSP (single-file); LSP enables cross-file inlining. Params: file (string), symbol (string) [, line (u32), preview (bool), receipt (bool)]
`inline`	Inline variable or constant
`inline-function`	Inline function call at call site
`insert_body`	Replace a function's implementation body with new code. AST-validated — rejects if the result has parse errors, so you can't accidentally break syntax. Use instead of manual text editing for function rewrites. Params: file (string), symbol (string), code (string) [, commit (bool)]
`introduce-field`	Extract value to class field
`introduce-parameter`	Convert local variable to parameter
`introduce-variable`	Extract expression to local variable
`merge-if-statements`	Merge nested if statements into one
`move`	Move symbol to different location
`move-else-to-elif`	Convert else-if nesting to elif
`move_symbol`	Move a function, class, or type to a different file and automatically update all imports across the codebase. Use instead of manually cut/paste + fixing imports. Works without LSP (single-file); LSP enables cross-file import updates. Params: file (string), symbol (string), destination (string) [, preview (bool), receipt (bool)]
`organize-imports`	Organize and sort imports
`pull-up`	Pull up member to parent class
`push-down`	Push down member to subclass
`recipe_run`	Run a codemod recipe: declarative match → transform → optional verify across modeled grammars. Preview lists matches; apply writes with optional E7 receipts and all-or-nothing rollback. Returns a per-site report.
`remove-dead-code`	remove unreachable statements after return
`remove-type-annotation`	Remove type annotation from variable declaration
`remove-unnecessary-else`	Remove unnecessary else after return/raise
`rename`	Rename a symbol and automatically update ALL references across the codebase. Safer and faster than find-and-replace — AST-aware, won't rename strings or comments. Works without LSP (single-file); LSP enables cross-file renames. Params: file (string), old_name (string), new_name (string) [, line (u32), column (u32), preview (bool), receipt (bool)]
`rename`	Rename symbol and all references
`simplify-boolean-expression`	Simplify boolean expression
`sort-imports`	Sort import statements alphabetically
`split`	Split statement or declaration
`wrap-if`	Wrap code in if statement
`wrap-null-check`	Wrap code in null/None check guard
`wrap-try-catch`	Wrap code in try-except block

Analysis

42 analysis tools, the same on every supported language. Descriptions live in the shared reference: /docs/analysis-tools.

analyze_api_diff analyze_chokepoints analyze_clones analyze_clusters analyze_cohesion analyze_conformance analyze_coupling analyze_cycle_risk analyze_cycles analyze_dead_code analyze_depth analyze_entry_points analyze_export analyze_extraction analyze_fan_balance analyze_features analyze_hotspots analyze_impact analyze_inconsistencies analyze_inheritance analyze_interface_bloat analyze_interfaces analyze_layers analyze_orphan_types analyze_patterns analyze_platform_deps analyze_readiness analyze_roles analyze_seams analyze_stability analyze_surface analyze_test_gaps analyze_thickness analyze_type_completeness churn_hotspots co_change_clusters coverage_overlay ownership_map profile_overlay simulate split_module trace_overlay

Verify

14 verify tools, the same on every supported language. Descriptions live in the shared reference: /docs/verification.

bisect_regression gate generate_test_harness scan secret_surface summarize_pr taint_flow unsafe_surface verify_behavioral_equivalence verify_contract_preserved verify_diff_semantics verify_port_parity verify_side_effects verify_test_impact

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