---
id: py-rattler
version: "0.25.0"
license: BSD-3-Clause
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# py-rattler — A blazing fast library to work with the conda ecosystem

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 776.8K/mo

## What it is and what it does

py-rattler is a Python wrapper around Rattler, a Rust library that reimplements core conda ecosystem functionality for speed and language independence. It lets you solve package dependencies, install conda packages into environments, and run commands within those environments—all from Python code without relying on conda itself. The library is designed around async/await patterns and exposes the full power of the underlying Rust implementation.

The package targets developers who need to embed conda workflows into their own tools or applications. It has no runtime dependencies and ships as pre-compiled wheels for most platforms (x86_64, ARM, PowerPC, i686, Windows, macOS, Linux). Active maintenance and use in production systems like pixi and prefix.dev indicate maturity despite the Alpha classifier.

Use it for:

- Build tools that need to create isolated conda environments programmatically without invoking conda directly.
- Package managers or deployment systems that solve and install conda packages as part of their workflow.
- Cross-platform applications that require conda ecosystem support without Python conda as a dependency.
- Backend services (like prefix.dev) that need fast, non-blocking conda operations via async.
- Version resolution and dependency analysis for conda packages in custom applications.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

py-rattler provides Python bindings to Rust-based conda ecosystem functionality, enabling environment solving, package installation, and conda operations without depending on Python's conda implementation.

Yes, if you need to embed conda workflows into Python applications. The permissive BSD license, active maintenance, zero runtime dependencies, and broad platform support make it low-risk. The Alpha status and mandatory async pattern are minor friction; verify that async fits your architecture and that the API stability meets your needs before committing to production use.

## Install

pip install py-rattler
uv add py-rattler
poetry add py-rattler

## Installing py-rattler

Before you install: Medium install friction due to compiled wheels across many platforms (cp38-abi3 stable ABI). Active maintenance with recent releases; no runtime dependencies simplifies deployment.

License in practice: BSD-3-Clause permissive license allows commercial and proprietary use with minimal restrictions; attribution required.

Quickstart:

pip install py-rattler

import asyncio
from rattler import solve, install, VirtualPackage

async def main():
    solved = await solve(
        channels=["conda-forge"],
        specs=["python ~=3.12.0"],
        virtual_packages=VirtualPackage.detect(),
    )
    await install(records=solved, target_prefix="./env")

asyncio.run(main())

Requires Python 3.8+; async/await pattern is mandatory for all operations.

Verify before relying:

- Whether the library's performance advantage over conda-python is quantified or measured in real-world scenarios.
- Stability guarantees or API compatibility roadmap given the Alpha development status.

## Package facts

- License: BSD-3-Clause (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: medium
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 776.8K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

conda package management python, environment solving and installation, conda ecosystem bindings, fast conda operations, conda-forge integration, conda-ecosystem, async-first, rust-bindings

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