python / python/mypy

`typing.TypeAliasType` cannot be used to declare self-referential types

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bug topic-pep-695 topic-recursive-types
Dominant language
Python
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Description

Bug Report, To Reproduce, & Actual Behaviour

See mypy Playground:

type T = dict[str, "T"]  # OK

from typing import TypeAliasType

T2 = TypeAliasType("T2", dict[str, "T2"])  # E: Cannot resolve name "T2" (possible cyclic definition)  [misc]

Expected Behavior

Self-referential type successfully declared

Your Environment

  • Mypy version used: 1.13.0
  • Mypy command-line flags: (none)
  • Mypy configuration options from mypy.ini (and other config files): (none)
  • Python version used: 3.12

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Reproduce the reported diagnostic in the linked mypy Playground using Python 3.12 and the TypeAliasType example. Trace how mypy resolves the quoted self-reference in the TypeAliasType form, then verify that the example is accepted without regressing the equivalent type statement.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
compilers, devtools
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
48/100

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