---
id: taskipy
version: "1.14.1"
license: MIT
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: dormant
---

# taskipy — tasks runner for python projects

License: permissive · Maintenance: dormant · Downloads: 1.2M/mo

## What it is and what it does

Taskipy is a lightweight task runner for Python projects that replaces ad-hoc shell commands with named tasks defined in your pyproject.toml file. Instead of memorizing and typing long commands like `python -m unittest tests/test_*.py`, you define a task once and run it with `task test`. It supports task composition (chaining tasks together), pre and post hooks for task dependencies, variable substitution for DRY configuration, and command-line argument pass-through.

The package is designed as a Python equivalent to npm's run-script command. It works with Poetry (via `poetry run task`) or standalone (via the `task` command directly). It requires Python 3.6 or newer and depends on four small runtime libraries: tomli for TOML parsing, psutil for process utilities, mslex for shell argument handling, and colorama for colored terminal output.

Use it for:

- Define and run common development tasks (test, lint, format, build) from a single pyproject.toml without memorizing shell commands.
- Compose multi-step workflows by chaining tasks together or using pre/post hooks to enforce task dependencies.
- Share task definitions across team members by committing pyproject.toml to version control, ensuring consistent command execution.
- Reduce repetition in task definitions using variables and string formatting for paths, arguments, and environment-specific settings.
- List all available tasks with descriptions using `task --list` to help new contributors discover project workflows.

## Worth the install?

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

Taskipy is a task runner that lets you define and execute development tasks (like test, lint, build) from a pyproject.toml file instead of remembering shell commands.

Yes, if you want a simple, low-friction task runner for development workflows. Taskipy is stable and widely used (top 5000 PyPI packages), with no known vulnerabilities and permissive licensing. The dormant maintenance status is a minor concern for long-term support, but the package is mature and unlikely to require frequent updates. Install it if your project uses Poetry or needs a lightweight alternative to shell scripts for task management.

## Install

pip install taskipy
uv add taskipy
poetry add taskipy

## Installing taskipy

Before you install: Low install friction with four lightweight runtime dependencies (tomli, psutil, mslex, colorama). Maintenance is dormant—last release was 626 days ago—but the repository remains active and the package is stable enough for established workflows.

License in practice: MIT license is permissive; you can use taskipy freely in commercial and private projects with minimal restrictions.

Quickstart:

pip install taskipy

# In pyproject.toml:
[tool.taskipy.tasks]
test = "python -m unittest tests/test_*.py"
lint = "pylint src"

# Then run:
task test

Your project must have a valid pyproject.toml file (PEP-518 compliant) in the project directory.

Verify before relying:

- Whether dormant maintenance (last release 626 days ago) poses a risk for future Python or dependency updates.
- How well pre/post hooks and task composition handle complex CI/CD workflows compared to dedicated task runners.

## Package facts

- License: MIT (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: dormant
- Downloads: 1.2M/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

task runner python, pyproject.toml tasks, development workflow automation, npm run scripts for python, shell command shortcuts, python build task runner, project task management, task-automation, poetry-compatible, workflow-management

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/taskipy) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/taskipy/)