---
name: mlflow-python
description: MLflow experiment tracking via Python API. TRIGGERS - MLflow metrics, log backtest, experiment tracking, search runs.
allowed-tools: Read, Bash, Grep, Glob
---

# MLflow Python Skill

Unified read/write MLflow operations via Python API with QuantStats integration for comprehensive trading metrics.

**ADR**: [2025-12-12-mlflow-python-skill](/docs/adr/2025-12-12-mlflow-python-skill.md)

> **Note**: This skill uses Pandas (MLflow API requires it). The `mlflow-python` path is auto-skipped by the Polars preference hook.

> **Self-Evolving Skill**: This skill improves through use. If instructions are wrong, parameters drifted, or a workaround was needed — fix this file immediately, don't defer. Only update for real, reproducible issues.

## When to Use This Skill

**CAN Do**:

- Log backtest metrics (Sharpe, max_drawdown, total_return, etc.)
- Log experiment parameters (strategy config, timeframes)
- Create and manage experiments
- Query runs with SQL-like filtering
- Calculate 70+ trading metrics via QuantStats
- Retrieve metric history (time-series data)

**CANNOT Do**:

- Direct database access to MLflow backend
- Artifact storage management (S3/GCS configuration)
- MLflow server administration

## Prerequisites

### Authentication Setup

MLflow uses separate environment variables for credentials (NOT embedded in URI):

```bash
# Option 1: mise + .env.local (recommended)
# Create .env.local in skill directory with:
MLFLOW_TRACKING_URI=http://mlflow.eonlabs.com:5000
MLFLOW_TRACKING_USERNAME=eonlabs
MLFLOW_TRACKING_PASSWORD=<password>

# Option 2: Direct environment variables
export MLFLOW_TRACKING_URI="http://mlflow.eonlabs.com:5000"
export MLFLOW_TRACKING_USERNAME="eonlabs"
export MLFLOW_TRACKING_PASSWORD="<password>"
```

### Verify Connection

```bash
/usr/bin/env bash << 'SKILL_SCRIPT_EOF'
cd ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/mlflow-python
uv run scripts/query_experiments.py experiments
SKILL_SCRIPT_EOF
```

## Quick Start Workflows

### A. Log Backtest Results (Primary Use Case)

```bash
/usr/bin/env bash << 'SKILL_SCRIPT_EOF_2'
cd ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/mlflow-python
uv run scripts/log_backtest.py \
  --experiment "crypto-backtests" \
  --run-name "btc_momentum_v2" \
  --returns path/to/returns.csv \
  --params '{"strategy": "momentum", "timeframe": "1h"}'
SKILL_SCRIPT_EOF_2
```

### B. Search Experiments

```bash
uv run scripts/query_experiments.py experiments
```

### C. Query Runs with Filter

```bash
uv run scripts/query_experiments.py runs \
  --experiment "crypto-backtests" \
  --filter "metrics.sharpe_ratio > 1.5" \
  --order-by "metrics.sharpe_ratio DESC"
```

### D. Create New Experiment

```bash
uv run scripts/create_experiment.py \
  --name "crypto-backtests-2025" \
  --description "Q1 2025 cryptocurrency trading strategy backtests"
```

### E. Get Metric History

```bash
uv run scripts/get_metric_history.py \
  --run-id abc123 \
  --metrics sharpe_ratio,cumulative_return
```

## QuantStats Metrics Available

The `log_backtest.py` script calculates 70+ metrics via QuantStats, including:

| Category     | Metrics                                                           |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Ratios**   | sharpe, sortino, calmar, omega, treynor                           |
| **Returns**  | cagr, total_return, avg_return, best, worst                       |
| **Drawdown** | max_drawdown, avg_drawdown, drawdown_days                         |
| **Trade**    | win_rate, profit_factor, payoff_ratio, consecutive_wins/losses    |
| **Risk**     | volatility, var, cvar, ulcer_index, serenity_index                |
| **Advanced** | kelly_criterion, recovery_factor, risk_of_ruin, information_ratio |

See [quantstats-metrics.md](./references/quantstats-metrics.md) for full list.

## Bundled Scripts

| Script                  | Purpose                                      |
| ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| `log_backtest.py`       | Log backtest returns with QuantStats metrics |
| `query_experiments.py`  | Search experiments and runs (replaces CLI)   |
| `create_experiment.py`  | Create new experiment with metadata          |
| `get_metric_history.py` | Retrieve metric time-series data             |

## Configuration

The skill uses mise `[env]` pattern for configuration. See `.mise.toml` for defaults.

Create `.env.local` (gitignored) for credentials:

```bash
MLFLOW_TRACKING_URI=http://mlflow.eonlabs.com:5000
MLFLOW_TRACKING_USERNAME=eonlabs
MLFLOW_TRACKING_PASSWORD=<password>
```

## Reference Documentation

- [Authentication Patterns](./references/authentication.md) - Idiomatic MLflow auth
- [QuantStats Metrics](./references/quantstats-metrics.md) - Full list of 70+ metrics
- [Query Patterns](./references/query-patterns.md) - DataFrame operations
- [Migration from CLI](./references/migration-from-cli.md) - CLI to Python API mapping

## Migration from mlflow-query

This skill replaces the CLI-based `mlflow-query` skill. Key differences:

| Feature        | mlflow-query (old) | mlflow-python (new)    |
| -------------- | ------------------ | ---------------------- |
| Log metrics    | Not supported      | `mlflow.log_metrics()` |
| Log params     | Not supported      | `mlflow.log_params()`  |
| Query runs     | CLI text parsing   | DataFrame output       |
| Metric history | Workaround only    | Native support         |
| Auth pattern   | Embedded in URI    | Separate env vars      |

See [migration-from-cli.md](./references/migration-from-cli.md) for detailed mapping.

---

## Troubleshooting

| Issue                   | Cause                        | Solution                                            |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| Connection refused      | MLflow server not running    | Verify MLFLOW_TRACKING_URI and server status        |
| Authentication failed   | Wrong credentials            | Check MLFLOW_TRACKING_USERNAME and PASSWORD in .env |
| Experiment not found    | Experiment name typo         | Run `query_experiments.py experiments` to list all  |
| QuantStats import error | Missing dependency           | `uv add quantstats` in skill directory              |
| Pandas import warning   | Expected for this skill      | Ignore - MLflow requires Pandas (hook-excluded)     |
| Run creation fails      | Experiment doesn't exist     | Use `create_experiment.py` to create first          |
| Metric history empty    | Wrong run_id or metric name  | Verify run_id with `query_experiments.py runs`      |
| Returns CSV parse error | Wrong date format or columns | Check CSV has date index and returns column         |


## Post-Execution Reflection

After this skill completes, check before closing:

1. **Did the command succeed?** — If not, fix the instruction or error table that caused the failure.
2. **Did parameters or output change?** — If the underlying tool's interface drifted, update Usage examples and Parameters table to match.
3. **Was a workaround needed?** — If you had to improvise (different flags, extra steps), update this SKILL.md so the next invocation doesn't need the same workaround.

Only update if the issue is real and reproducible — not speculative.