Base environment is heavier than a minimal API or library runtime

[ahouseholder]

Summary

Main project dependencies include docs/build libraries (mkdocs, bibtex plugins, etc.), so the default installed environment is significantly heavier than what a minimal API or library consumer needs at runtime.

Category

• Top risk
• Technical debt
• Security
• Performance / scaling
• Fragile / high-churn area
• Other

Severity

low

Evidence

• pyproject.toml (dependency groups)

Impact if Ignored

Docker images and deployment environments carry unnecessary weight. Install times increase and the attack surface grows slightly from unused packages.

Suggested Action

Split dependencies into optional groups (e.g., [dev], [docs], [api]). The minimal runtime for the library and API should not require documentation build tools.