claude-memory/graph/code-patterns/pattern-lazy-import-inside-function-body-to-break-circular-i-d637ad.md

id	type	title	tags	importance	confidence	created	updated
d637ad5b-0ad1-4164-b737-b870fce85ae1	code_pattern	Pattern: Lazy import inside function body to break circular imports	paper-dynasty card-creation card_builder calcs_batter circular_import lazy_import python	0.6	0.8	2026-02-25T22:26:37.747893+00:00	2026-02-25T22:26:37.747893+00:00

Problem\nbatters/card_builder.py imports from batters/calcs_batter.py (needs BattingCardRatingsModel). If calcs_batter.py also imported from card_builder.py at module level, this would cause a circular ImportError.\n\n## Solution: Lazy Import Inside Function Body\npython\n# In batters/calcs_batter.py — inside get_batter_ratings():\ntry:\n from batters.card_builder import build_batter_full_cards\n vl_card, vr_card = build_batter_full_cards(...)\n vl_dict.update(vl_card.card_output())\n vr_dict.update(vr_card.card_output())\nexcept Exception as e:\n logger.warning(f'Card layout builder failed: {e}')\n\n\nSame pattern used in pitchers/calcs_pitcher.py:\npython\nfrom pitchers.card_builder import build_pitcher_full_cards\n\n\n## Why It Works\nThe import only executes when the function is called, not at module load time, so the circular dependency never materializes at import resolution.