diff --git a/conda_smithy/azure_ci_utils.py b/conda_smithy/azure_ci_utils.py
index 17aeb526f..4f8feaa3f 100644
--- a/conda_smithy/azure_ci_utils.py
+++ b/conda_smithy/azure_ci_utils.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 from vsts.build.v4_1.models import (
     BuildDefinition,
     BuildDefinitionReference,
+    BuildRepository,
     SourceRepositories,
     SourceRepository,
 )
@@ -133,12 +134,6 @@ def get_default_build_definition(
 ):
     import inspect
 
-    from vsts.build.v4_1.models import (
-        BuildDefinition,
-        BuildRepository,
-    )
-    from vsts.task_agent.v4_0.task_agent_client import TaskAgentClient
-
     aclient = TaskAgentClient(config.instance_base_url, config.credentials)
 
     source_repo = get_repo_reference(config, github_org, repo_name)
@@ -213,8 +208,6 @@ def get_default_build_definition(
 
 
 def register_repo(github_org, repo_name, config: AzureConfig = default_config):
-    from vsts.build.v4_1.models import BuildDefinitionReference
-
     bclient = build_client()
     build_definition = get_default_build_definition(
         github_org,
diff --git a/conda_smithy/cli.py b/conda_smithy/cli.py
index 266c8eda8..5427f2ba1 100644
--- a/conda_smithy/cli.py
+++ b/conda_smithy/cli.py
@@ -48,8 +48,6 @@ def generate_feedstock_content(
         try:
             configure_feedstock.copytree(source_recipe_dir, target_recipe_dir)
         except Exception as e:
-            import sys
-
             raise type(e)(
                 str(e) + f" while copying file {source_recipe_dir}"
             ).with_traceback(sys.exc_info()[2])
@@ -570,7 +568,7 @@ class Regenerate(Subcommand):
     def __init__(self, parser):
         super().__init__(
             parser,
-            "Regenerate / update the CI support files of the " "feedstock.",
+            "Regenerate / update the CI support files of the feedstock.",
         )
         scp = self.subcommand_parser
         scp.add_argument(
diff --git a/conda_smithy/configure_feedstock.py b/conda_smithy/configure_feedstock.py
index a0878e172..a9fb80d8a 100644
--- a/conda_smithy/configure_feedstock.py
+++ b/conda_smithy/configure_feedstock.py
@@ -819,7 +819,7 @@ def _collapse_subpackage_variants(
 def _is_config_skipped(config, top_level_loop_vars, list_of_metas):
     trimmed_config = {loop_var: config[loop_var] for loop_var in top_level_loop_vars}
     logger.debug("checking config: %s", trimmed_config)
-    for i, meta in enumerate(list_of_metas):
+    for meta in list_of_metas:
         trimmed_meta = {
             loop_var: meta.config.variant.get(loop_var)
             for loop_var in top_level_loop_vars
@@ -2271,7 +2271,7 @@ def render_readme(jinja_env, forge_config, forge_dir, render_info=None):
 
     # align new style about with old style about
     logger.debug("subpackages_about\n %s", pprint.pformat(subpackages_about))
-    for i, (name, about) in enumerate(subpackages_about):
+    for name, about in subpackages_about:
         if "repository" in about:
             about["dev_url"] = about["repository"]
         if "homepage" in about:
diff --git a/conda_smithy/feedstock_tokens.py b/conda_smithy/feedstock_tokens.py
index 59b40b130..8352bf90b 100644
--- a/conda_smithy/feedstock_tokens.py
+++ b/conda_smithy/feedstock_tokens.py
@@ -738,10 +738,7 @@ def add_feedstock_token_to_azure(user, project, feedstock_token, clobber):
     else:
         variables = ed.variables
 
-    if "FEEDSTOCK_TOKEN" in variables:
-        have_feedstock_token = True
-    else:
-        have_feedstock_token = False
+    have_feedstock_token = "FEEDSTOCK_TOKEN" in variables
 
     if not have_feedstock_token or (have_feedstock_token and clobber):
         variables["FEEDSTOCK_TOKEN"] = BuildDefinitionVariable(
diff --git a/news/2518-pylint-finds.rst b/news/2518-pylint-finds.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..607890684
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/2518-pylint-finds.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+**Added:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Changed:**
+
+* Small code improvements as pointed out by pylint. (#2518)
+
+**Deprecated:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Removed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Fixed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Security:**
+
+* <news item>