Reagent Expiry Alert

Scan reagent bottle barcodes or IDs, log expiration dates, and alert before expiry to support safe laboratory inventory management.

Quick Check

python -m py_compile scripts/main.py
python scripts/main.py --help

When to Use

• Use this skill when logging a new reagent with its expiry date into the inventory.
• Use this skill when checking for reagents approaching expiration (30/60/90-day alerts).
• Do not use this skill to manage controlled substances, biological hazards requiring special disposal, or reagents subject to regulatory chain-of-custody requirements.

Workflow

1. Confirm the reagent barcode/ID, expiry date, and action (scan/log or check alerts).
2. Validate that the request is for reagent expiry tracking, not chemical safety assessment or disposal guidance.
3. Date validation: If --expiry is provided, validate that it is a valid YYYY-MM-DD date. If the date is in the past, emit a warning: "This reagent is already expired as of [date]. It will be logged with an Expired alert status."
4. Log the reagent or run the alert check using the packaged script.
5. Return expiration status, alert level, and reorder recommendations.
6. If inputs are incomplete, state which fields are missing and request only the minimum additional information.

Usage

# Log a new reagent
python scripts/main.py --scan "REAGENT-001" --name "Tris Buffer" --expiry 2025-12-31 --location "Shelf A"

# Check for upcoming expirations
python scripts/main.py --check-alerts --alert-days 30

# Check with custom alert window
python scripts/main.py --check-alerts --alert-days 60

Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Default	Description
--scan	string	No	—	Reagent barcode or ID
--name	string	No	—	Reagent name
--expiry	date	No	—	Expiration date (YYYY-MM-DD)
--location	string	No	—	Storage location
--quantity	string	No	—	Quantity on hand
--check-alerts	flag	No	—	Check for upcoming expirations
--alert-days	integer	No	30	Days before expiry to alert

Alert Levels

• 🔴 Expired — reagent past expiry date
• 🟠 Critical — expiring within 30 days
• 🟡 Warning — expiring within 60 days
• 🟢 OK — expiring beyond 60 days

Output

• Expiration alert report with alert level per reagent
• Inventory summary
• Reorder recommendations for critical/expired items

Stress-Case Rules

For complex multi-constraint requests, always include these explicit blocks:

1. Assumptions
2. Reagents Checked
3. Alert Report
4. Reorder Recommendations
5. Risks and Manual Checks

Error Handling

• If required inputs are missing, state exactly which fields are missing and request only the minimum additional information.
• If the task goes outside the documented scope, stop instead of guessing or silently widening the assignment.
• If scripts/main.py fails, report the failure point, summarize what still can be completed safely, and provide a manual fallback.
• Do not fabricate expiry dates, inventory counts, or reorder thresholds.

Input Validation

This skill accepts: reagent barcode/ID and expiry date for logging, or a check-alerts request for inventory review.

If the request does not involve reagent expiry tracking — for example, asking for chemical hazard assessment, waste disposal guidance, or controlled substance management — do not proceed with the workflow. Instead respond:

"reagent-expiry-alert is designed to log reagent expiry dates and generate alerts before expiration. Your request appears to be outside this scope. Please provide a reagent ID and expiry date, or use a more appropriate tool."

Response Template

Use the following fixed structure for non-trivial requests:

1. Objective
2. Inputs Received
3. Assumptions
4. Workflow
5. Deliverable
6. Risks and Limits
7. Next Checks

If the request is simple, you may compress the structure, but still keep assumptions and limits explicit when they affect correctness.