Early returns in Python

python
Use early returns to reduce nesting levels. Instead of wrapping large code blocks in conditional statements, return early when conditions are not met.
Bad:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is not None:
        if user.is_active:
            # Many lines of processing code

Install this rule for wispbit

Add this rule to wispbit and it will run when you open a pull request

Install this rule for Coderabbit

Copy the configuration below and add it to your repository as .coderabbit.yml in your project root.

reviews:
  path_instructions:
    - path: "*.py"
      instructions: |
                
        Use early returns to reduce nesting levels. Instead of wrapping large code blocks in conditional statements, return early when conditions are not met.
        
        Bad:
        
        ```python
        def process_user(user):
            if user is not None:
                if user.is_active:
                    # Many lines of processing code
                    result = perform_complex_operation(user)
                    return result
            return None
        ```
        
        Good:
        
        ```python
        def process_user(user):
            if user is None:
                return None
        
            if not user.is_active:
                return None
        
            # Now we can work with user without nesting
            # Many lines of processing code
            result = perform_complex_operation(user)
            return result
        ```

Install this rule for Greptile

Greptile rules can be added through the web interface. Please see this documentation for details on how to add custom rules and context.

Use early returns to reduce nesting levels. Instead of wrapping large code blocks in conditional statements, return early when conditions are not met.
Bad:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is not None:
        if user.is_active:
            # Many lines of processing code
            result = perform_complex_operation(user)
            return result
    return None
```
Good:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is None:
        return None
    if not user.is_active:
        return None
    # Now we can work with user without nesting
    # Many lines of processing code
    result = perform_complex_operation(user)
    return result
```

File Path Patterns:

*.py

Install this rule for GitHub Copilot

Copilot instructions can be added through the interface. See the documentation for details on how to create coding guidelines.

Use early returns to reduce nesting levels. Instead of wrapping large code blocks in conditional statements, return early when conditions are not met.
Bad:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is not None:
        if user.is_active:
            # Many lines of processing code
            result = perform_complex_operation(user)
            return result
    return None
```
Good:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is None:
        return None
    if not user.is_active:
        return None
    # Now we can work with user without nesting
    # Many lines of processing code
    result = perform_complex_operation(user)
    return result
```

File Path Patterns:

*.py

Install this rule for Graphite Diamond

Diamond custom rules can be added through the interface. See the documentation for details on how to create custom rules.

Use early returns to reduce nesting levels. Instead of wrapping large code blocks in conditional statements, return early when conditions are not met.
Bad:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is not None:
        if user.is_active:
            # Many lines of processing code
            result = perform_complex_operation(user)
            return result
    return None
```
Good:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is None:
        return None
    if not user.is_active:
        return None
    # Now we can work with user without nesting
    # Many lines of processing code
    result = perform_complex_operation(user)
    return result
```

File Path Patterns:

*.py

Use with Cline

Copy the rule below and ask Cline to review your code using this rule

Use early returns to reduce nesting levels. Instead of wrapping large code blocks in conditional statements, return early when conditions are not met.
Bad:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is not None:
        if user.is_active:
            # Many lines of processing code
            result = perform_complex_operation(user)
            return result
    return None
```
Good:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is None:
        return None
    if not user.is_active:
        return None
    # Now we can work with user without nesting
    # Many lines of processing code
    result = perform_complex_operation(user)
    return result
```

Use with OpenAI Codex

Copy the rule below and ask OpenAI Codex to review your code using this rule

Use early returns to reduce nesting levels. Instead of wrapping large code blocks in conditional statements, return early when conditions are not met.
Bad:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is not None:
        if user.is_active:
            # Many lines of processing code
            result = perform_complex_operation(user)
            return result
    return None
```
Good:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is None:
        return None
    if not user.is_active:
        return None
    # Now we can work with user without nesting
    # Many lines of processing code
    result = perform_complex_operation(user)
    return result
```

Use with Cursor

Copy the rule below and ask Cursor to review your code using this rule

Use early returns to reduce nesting levels. Instead of wrapping large code blocks in conditional statements, return early when conditions are not met.
Bad:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is not None:
        if user.is_active:
            # Many lines of processing code
            result = perform_complex_operation(user)
            return result
    return None
```
Good:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is None:
        return None
    if not user.is_active:
        return None
    # Now we can work with user without nesting
    # Many lines of processing code
    result = perform_complex_operation(user)
    return result
```

Use with Claude Code

Copy the rule below and ask Claude Code to review your code using this rule

Use early returns to reduce nesting levels. Instead of wrapping large code blocks in conditional statements, return early when conditions are not met.
Bad:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is not None:
        if user.is_active:
            # Many lines of processing code
            result = perform_complex_operation(user)
            return result
    return None
```
Good:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is None:
        return None
    if not user.is_active:
        return None
    # Now we can work with user without nesting
    # Many lines of processing code
    result = perform_complex_operation(user)
    return result
```

Install this rule for Windsurf

To set up rules for Windsurf Reviews, please see this documentation 

Use early returns to reduce nesting levels. Instead of wrapping large code blocks in conditional statements, return early when conditions are not met.
Bad:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is not None:
        if user.is_active:
            # Many lines of processing code
            result = perform_complex_operation(user)
            return result
    return None
```
Good:
```python
def process_user(user):
    if user is None:
        return None
    if not user.is_active:
        return None
    # Now we can work with user without nesting
    # Many lines of processing code
    result = perform_complex_operation(user)
    return result
```