#438 Motivation time

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Jun 30, 2025

Discover handy Python cheat sheets that streamline your coding with F strings and command-line utilities. Explore Automatisch, an open-source alternative to Zapier that prioritizes data security. Learn about mureq-typed, a modern, zero-dependency library for HTTP requests. The hosts also discuss the importance of forking projects for open-source contributions and share tips for customizing your Python and terminal experience. Plus, enjoy some light-hearted humor along the way!

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ADVICE

Trey Hunner's Python Cheat Sheets

Use Trey Hunner's Python cheat sheets for quick reference on string formatting, pathlib, and built-in utilities.
These sheets help you remember complex formatting tricks and Python CLI features efficiently.

INSIGHT

Automatisch: Self-Host Zapier Alternative

Automatisch is a popular open source Zapier alternative that you can self-host via Docker.
It suits businesses handling sensitive data or under GDPR who want automation without vendor lock-in.

ADVICE

mureq-typed: Lightweight Requests Alternative

Use mureq-typed as a zero-dependency, single-file, fully typed drop-in replacement for requests.
It reduces memory usage and supply chain risks while supporting modern Python typing tools.

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About the show

Sponsored by Posit: pythonbytes.fm/connect

Connect with the hosts

Michael: @mkennedy@fosstodon.org / @mkennedy.codes (bsky)
Brian: @brianokken@fosstodon.org / @brianokken.bsky.social
Show: @pythonbytes@fosstodon.org / @pythonbytes.fm (bsky)

Join us on YouTube at pythonbytes.fm/live to be part of the audience. Usually Monday at 10am PT. Older video versions available there too.

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Brian #1: Python Cheat Sheets from Trey Hunner

Some fun sheets

Michael #2: Automatisch

Open source Zapier alternative
Automatisch helps you to automate your business processes without coding.
Use their affordable cloud solution or self-host on your own servers.
Automatisch allows you to store your data on your own servers, good for companies dealing with sensitive user data, particularly in industries like healthcare and finance, or those based in Europe bound by General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Michael #3: mureq-typed

Single file, zero-dependency alternative to requests. Fully typed. Modern Python tooling.
Typed version of mureq (covered in 2022 on episode 268)
Intended to be vendored in-tree by Linux systems software and other lightweight applications.
mureq-typed is a drop-in, fully API compatible replacement for mureq updated with modern Python tooling:
Type checked with mypy, ty, and pyrefly.
Formatted with black, no ignore rules necessary.
Linted with ruff (add these rules for mureq.py to your per-file-ignores).

Brian #4: My CLI World

Frank Wiles
Encouragement to modify your command line environment
Some of Franks tools
- direnv, zoxide, fd, ack, atuin, just
Also some aliases, like gitpulllog
Notes
- We covered poethepoet recently, if just just isn’t cutting it for you.
- I tried to ilke starship, bit for some reason with my setup, it slows down the shell too much.

Extras

Brian:

Interesting read of the week: New theory proposes time has three dimensions, with space as a secondary effect
Michael's: New quantum theory of gravity brings long-sought 'theory of everything' a crucial step closer

Joke:

Brian read a few quotes from the book

Disappointing Affirmations, by Dave Tarnowski
- “You are always just a moment away from your next worst day ever. Or your next best day ever, but let’s be realistic.”
- “You can be anything you want. And yet you keep choosing to be you. I admire your dedication to the role.”
- “Today I am letting go of the things that are holding me back from the life that I want to live. Then I’m picking them all up again because I have separation anxiety.”