What is uv?

uv is an extremely fast Python package and project manager, written in Rust. It aims to be a drop-in replacement for common Python tooling like pip, pip-tools, and virtualenv, offering significant performance improvements and a unified interface for managing Python environments and dependencies.

Key Features

• Blazing Fast: Built with Rust, uv is designed for speed, making dependency resolution and package installation much quicker than traditional Python tools.

• Virtual Environment Management: Easily create and manage isolated Python environments for your projects.

  $ uv venv
  Using Python 3.12.3
  Creating virtual environment at: .venv
  Activate with: source .venv/bin/activate
  

  You can also specify a Python version:

  $ uv venv --python 3.11.6
  

• Dependency Resolution and Locking: uv can resolve complex dependency trees and generate lockfiles (e.g., requirements.txt) to ensure reproducible builds across different environments.

  $ uv pip compile pyproject.toml -o requirements.txt
  

  And to install from a locked file:

  $ uv pip sync requirements.txt
  

• Package Installation: Install packages directly from PyPI or local paths.

  $ uv pip install flask ruff
  

• Project Management: Initialize new projects and add dependencies with simple commands.

  $ uv init my-project
  $ cd my-project
  $ uv add httpx
  

• Script Execution: Run Python scripts within your project’s virtual environment.

  $ uv run my_script.py
  

Why use uv?

uv addresses many pain points associated with traditional Python packaging tools, such as slow dependency resolution, complex environment management, and inconsistent behavior. Its speed and unified command-line interface make it an attractive alternative for developers looking to streamline their Python development workflow.

Further Reading

To learn more about building applications with Python, including how to set up development environments, you might find our guide on Building Your First MCP Server with Python helpful.