How can I get better at understanding recursion in Python?

Recursion is still just a normal function call. The key is to identify two things: the base case that stops the process, and the recursive case that calls the function again with a smaller or simpler input. Work through the algorithm on paper with a small example and write down the argument and return value for each call. That usually makes the call stack much easier to follow.

If you are losing track while debugging, add print statements that include the current depth. For example, pass a depth argument, indent the output by that amount, and print the function's input when it starts and the value it returns. Seeing the calls visually makes it much easier to spot where the logic goes wrong.

When you are stuck, separate the problem's logic from the recursion itself. First solve a tiny example on paper, decide what one call should accomplish, and determine what simpler input the next call should receive. Then define the stopping condition. Practicing this pattern repeatedly is what makes recursion feel more intuitive.

A practical exercise is to write a function that receives a directory path, prints the files and folders inside it, and calls itself whenever it finds a subdirectory. This shows how recursion naturally handles nested structures such as folders and trees.

Start with small exercises and trace every call by hand before running the code. A reasonable progression is factorial, reversing a string, Fibonacci, traversing a nested directory or tree, and then more complex search problems. Also remember that not every problem benefits from recursion; sometimes a loop is simpler or more efficient.