Document Direct Python

Direct run_shell with Python is more reliable because it:

• Executes in a single step with no iteration limits
• Provides clearer, immediate error messages
• Handles complex operations without step constraints
• Gives full control over library imports and execution flow
• Writing scripts to .py files first avoids shell_agent parsing issues with heredocs

How to Use

Handling Web Research Failures

When web research tools (search_web, read_webpage) fail or return 'unknown error':

1. Assess what you need: Determine if the information is from well-documented regulatory frameworks, standards, or common knowledge that you can provide from internal knowledge.
2. Proceed with available knowledge: For pharmacy compliance, OSHA standards, GDPR requirements, and similar well-established frameworks, generate documents using your training knowledge rather than waiting for web access.
3. Document assumptions: Clearly note that materials were generated based on standard practices when source verification was unavailable.
4. Use direct Python execution: Continue with the recommended run_shell pattern to generate documents even without web-sourced content.

Example contingency workflow for pharmacy compliance:

# When web research fails, proceed with established regulatory knowledge
from reportlab.lib.pagesizes import letter
from reportlab.pdfgen import canvas

checklist_items = [
    "Verify pharmacist license is current and displayed",
    "Maintain controlled substance inventory logs",
    "Ensure proper storage temperatures for medications",
    "Keep patient counseling records for controlled substances",
    "Display required pharmacy signage and notices"
]
# Generate PDF using these standard compliance items

This approach was successfully used in task 045aba2e-4093-42aa-ab7f-159cc538278c_phase2 where all web tools failed but pharmacy compliance PDFs were still created successfully.

Recommended Pattern: Write Script to File First

For complex multi-line scripts, especially when using shell_agent as executor:

# Step 1: Write the Python script to a file
cat > generate_document.py << 'EOF'
import openpyxl
from openpyxl import Workbook

# Your document code here
wb = openpyxl.load_workbook('file.xlsx')
# ... operations ...
wb.save('output.xlsx')
print('Success')
EOF

# Step 2: Execute the script
python3 generate_document.py

Alternative Pattern: Inline Heredoc (Simple Scripts Only)

For short, simple scripts when NOT using shell_agent as the executor:

python3 << 'EOF'
import pandas as pd
df = pd.read_excel('input.xlsx')
df.to_excel('output.xlsx', index=False)
print('Done')
EOF

Spreadsheet Examples

Example 1: Read and Transform Excel Data

Write to file first, then execute:

import pandas as pd

# Load data from specific sheet
df = pd.read_excel('input.xlsx', sheet_name='Revenue')

# Apply transformations
df['Net_Revenue'] = df['Gross_Revenue'] * (1 - df['Tax_Rate'])

# Save results
df.to_excel('output.xlsx', index=False, sheet_name='Processed')

Example 2: Multi-Sheet Operations with openpyxl

from openpyxl import load_workbook

wb = load_workbook('tour_data.xlsx')

# Iterate through sheets
for sheet_name in wb.sheetnames:
    ws = wb[sheet_name]
    # Apply formatting or calculations
    for row in ws.iter_rows(min_row=2, max_col=5):
        # Process cells
        pass

wb.save('tour_data_processed.xlsx')

PDF Generation Examples

Example 3: Generate PDF Checklist with reportlab

Write to file first, then execute:

from reportlab.lib.pagesizes import letter
from reportlab.pdfgen import canvas
from reportlab.lib.units import inch

def create_checklist(filename, items):
    c = canvas.Canvas(filename, pagesize=letter)
    width, height = letter
    
    # Title
    c.setFont("Helvetica-Bold", 20)
    c.drawString(1*inch, height - 1*inch, "Task Checklist")
    
    # Items
    c.setFont("Helvetica", 14)
    y_position = height - 1.5*inch
    for i, item in enumerate(items, 1):
        checkbox = "☐"  # Empty checkbox
        c.drawString(1*inch, y_position, f"{checkbox} {item}")
        y_position -= 0.3*inch
    
    c.save()
    print(f"Created {filename} with {len(items)} items")

# Usage
items = ["Review requirements", "Complete analysis", "Submit report", "Follow up"]
create_checklist("checklist.pdf", items)

Example 4: Generate PDF Report with FPDF

from fpdf import FPDF

class PDF(FPDF):
    def header(self):
        self.set_font('Arial', 'B', 15)
        self.cell(0, 10, 'Monthly Report', 0, 1, 'C')
        self.ln(10)
    
    def footer(self):
        self.set_y(-15)
        self.set_font('Arial', 'I', 8)
        self.cell(0, 10, f'Page {self.page_no()}', 0, 0, 'C')

def create_report(filename, data):
    pdf = PDF()
    pdf.add_page()
    pdf.set_font('Arial', '', 12)
    
    # Add content
    for section, content in data.items():
        pdf.set_font('Arial', 'B', 12)
        pdf.cell(0, 10, section, 0, 1)
        pdf.set_font('Arial', '', 12)
        pdf.multi_cell(0, 8, content)
        pdf.ln(5)
    
    pdf.output(filename)
    print(f"Report saved to {filename}")

# Usage
data = {
    "Executive Summary": "This report covers Q4 performance metrics.",
    "Key Findings": "Revenue increased by 15% compared to Q3.",
    "Recommendations": "Continue current strategy with minor adjustments."
}
create_report("report.pdf", data)

Example 5: Combined Spreadsheet to PDF Workflow

import pandas as pd
from reportlab.lib.pagesizes import letter
from reportlab.pdfgen import canvas
from reportlab.platypus import SimpleDocTemplate, Table, TableStyle
from reportlab.lib import colors

# Step 1: Process spreadsheet data
df = pd.read_excel('sales_data.xlsx')
summary = df.groupby('Region')['Revenue'].sum().reset_index()

# Step 2: Generate PDF report
doc = SimpleDocTemplate("sales_report.pdf", pagesize=letter)
elements = []

# Create table from data
data = [['Region', 'Revenue']]
for _, row in summary.iterrows():
    data.append([row['Region'], f"${row['Revenue']:,.2f}"])

table = Table(data)
table.setStyle(TableStyle([
    ('BACKGROUND', (0, 0), (-1, 0), colors.grey),
    ('TEXTCOLOR', (0, 0), (-1, 0), colors.whitesmoke),
    ('ALIGN', (0, 0), (-1, -1), 'CENTER'),
    ('GRID', (0, 0), (-1, -1), 1, colors.black),
]))

elements.append(table)
doc.build(elements)
print("PDF report generated successfully")

Error Handling Pattern

Write to file first, then execute:

import sys
from openpyxl import load_workbook