python / python/mypy

mypy should error about missing type vars in explicit type aliases

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feature topic-type-alias
Dominant language
Python
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Description

Bug Report

Explicit type aliases don't allow no-args for generics, but don't error about it either.

To Reproduce

from typing import Generic, TypeVar
from typing_extensions import TypeAlias

T = TypeVar("T")
class Y(Generic[T]): ...

Alias2a = Y
reveal_type(Alias2a)  # N: Revealed type is "def [T] () -> __main__.Y[T`1]"

Alias2b: TypeAlias = Y
reveal_type(Alias2b)  # N: Revealed type is "def () -> __main__.Y[Any]"

Expected Behavior

An error when defining Alias2b.

Actual Behavior

No error when defining Alias2b.

Your Environment

Checked on mypy playground.

  • Mypy version used: v1.14
  • Mypy command-line flags: --disallow-any-generics
  • Mypy configuration options from mypy.ini (and other config files): N/A
  • 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

Run the supplied Python 3.12 reproduction with --disallow-any-generics and compare the Alias2a and Alias2b reveal_type results. Done means defining Alias2b as an explicit generic type alias reports an error for missing type variables, while the reported Alias2a behavior remains understood.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
tooling
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Clearly specified
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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