---
id: pyqt5-tools
version: "5.15.9.3.3"
license: GPLv3
license_treatment: copyleft
maintenance: active
---

# pyqt5-tools — PyQt Designer and QML plugins

License: copyleft · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 81.4K/mo

## What it is and what it does

pyqt5-tools bridges a gap left by PyQt5's wheel-only distribution: it packages Qt Designer, QML Scene, and QML Test Runner as command-line tools with Python wrappers. These tools are essential for GUI developers who need a visual designer to build interfaces and QML editors to prototype declarative UIs. The package wraps each tool with additional functionality, such as automatic PYQTDESIGNERPATH management via .env files and exception dialog support in Designer to catch Python errors that would otherwise crash silently.

The tools are accessed through subcommands (designer, qmlscene, qmltestrunner) and support passing custom widget paths and QML import paths. It depends on pyqt5, pyqt5-plugins, click for CLI handling, and python-dotenv for environment variable loading. The package is designed for developers working on PyQt5 projects who need the full Qt toolchain; it is not a runtime dependency for end-user applications.

Use it for:

- Design PyQt5 GUI layouts visually in Qt Designer without manually writing widget code
- Develop and test QML interfaces using QML Scene with custom import paths configured via .env
- Run QML unit tests with QML Test Runner while managing plugin paths automatically
- Prototype custom PyQt5 widgets and test them in Designer with exception reporting
- Manage multiple PyQt5 projects with different widget paths using .env-based configuration

## Worth the install?

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

Provides Qt Designer, QML Scene, and QML Test Runner tools as command-line wrappers for PyQt5 development, bundling GUI design and QML editing capabilities that are not included in the standard PyQt5 wheels.

Yes, if you are actively developing PyQt5 applications and need Qt Designer or QML tools. The low install friction, active maintenance, and straightforward dependencies make it a practical choice. The GPLv3 license is not a barrier for development use, only for redistribution of modifications. No known security vulnerabilities. Install only if you need the GUI design tools; it is not required for running PyQt5 applications.

## Install

pip install pyqt5-tools
uv add pyqt5-tools
poetry add pyqt5-tools

## Installing pyqt5-tools

Before you install: Low friction installation via pip with a pure-wheel distribution. The package is actively maintained with a recent commit history and has been stable since its initial release in 2016. Dependencies are straightforward: click, pyqt5, pyqt5-plugins, and python-dotenv.

License in practice: Licensed under GPLv3 (copyleft). Any derivative work or modification must also be released under GPLv3. If you are building proprietary applications, you may use this tool during development, but you cannot redistribute modified versions without complying with copyleft obligations.

Quickstart:

pip install 'pyqt5-tools~=5.15'
pyqt5-tools designer --help
pyqt5-tools qmlscene --help

Requires PyQt5 to be installed separately; the version of pyqt5-tools must match your PyQt5 version (e.g., 5.15.x for PyQt5 5.15). Windows and Linux are fully supported; macOS support is incomplete.

Verify before relying:

- Whether the package works with PyQt6 or only PyQt5 5.15.x versions
- Current status of macOS support and what limitations remain
- Whether custom widget paths persist across sessions or require .env file setup each time

## Package facts

- License: GPLv3 (copyleft)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 81.4K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

qt designer for pyqt5, pyqt5 gui designer tool, qml scene editor, pyqt5 development tools, qt designer wrapper, qml test runner, pyqt5 plugin path management, gui-development, qt-designer, qml-tools

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