DSPy Core

Core guidance for working with the DSPy framework: signatures, modules, programs, compilation, and testing.

Environment Setup

This skill requires uv as the Python package manager. Always ensure a uv virtual environment is active before running any DSPy code.

# Create and activate a uv virtual environment
uv venv
source .venv/bin/activate

# Install dspy
uv pip install dspy

Rule: Never use raw pip or python -m pip. Always use uv pip for package installation and uv run for script execution.

Quick Start

Creating a new signature

import dspy

class MySignature(dspy.Signature):
    """Input and output fields with descriptions."""
    input_field = dspy.InputField(desc="Description of input")
    output_field = dspy.OutputField(desc="Description of output")

Compiling a program

# Use the compile-dspy script for safe compilation
uv run scripts/compile-dspy.py --module my_module --teleprompter teleprompter_name

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Creating or modifying DSPy signatures
• Building new DSPy programs or modules
• Running DSPy compilation
• Testing DSPy signatures and programs
• Learning DSPy fundamentals

Core Concepts

Signatures

DSPy signatures define the input/output contract for your programs. See signatures.md for:

• Signature design patterns
• InputField vs OutputField usage
• Type hints and validation
• Hint and description best practices

Programs & Modules

DSPy programs are composed of modules that process inputs. See programs.md for:

• Building DSPy programs
• Module composition
• Compilation workflows
• Chain-of-thought and other patterns

Scripts

• compile-dspy.py: Compile DSPy modules with proper caching
• test-signature.py: Validate signature structure and types
• clear-cache.py: Clear DSPy cache safely

Templates

The assets/templates/ directory provides boilerplate:

• signature-template.py: Starting point for new signatures
• program-template.py: Starting point for new programs

Critical Rules

1. Always use uv: Use uv venv for environment creation, uv pip for installs, and uv run for script execution
2. Compilation is offline-only: Never compile at runtime in production
3. Clear cache after changes: Run clear-cache.py after modifying DSPy modules

Related Skills

• dspy-optimization: Optimization, metrics, evaluation, and teleprompters
• dspy-fleet-rlm: fleet-rlm-specific DSPy patterns, debugging, and integration

Progressive Disclosure

1. SKILL.md (this file): Quick reference and navigation
2. references/: Detailed technical docs loaded as needed
3. scripts/: Executable tools (can be run without reading)
4. assets/: Templates for new work