I've been struggling to understand what thewith... classes are and what they are good for (path effect newbie here). Therefore I'm a bit picky on docs. I propose something like this (Please check ReST syntax and line length. This is a bit difficult in the github interface):

"""A shortcut PathEffect for applying `.{effect_class.__name__}` and thendrawing the original Artist.Examples--------With this class you can use ::    artist.set_path_effects([path_effects.with{effect_class.__name__}()])as a shortcut for ::    artist.set_path_effects([path_effects.{effect_class.__name__}(),                             path_effects.Normal()])"""

Taking for example the path effect proposed at#15458, using justpath_effects=[TickedStroke(...)] wouldonly draw the ticks, not the "original" path; usingpath_effects=[withTickedStroke(...)] draws both the original path and not the Stroke. Your suggestion is fine, adding it.

So... if you have to do this big song and dance for the docs, is this change really worth it?

It's more worth it if we keep adding new patheffects and repeat this code pattern again and again, e.g.#15458.