UV: The Fast Python Package Manager

python

tools

Published

September 14, 2025

What is UV?

UV is a drop-in replacement for pip and pip-tools that’s designed to be significantly faster and more reliable. Created by Astral (the team behind Ruff), it aims to solve common Python packaging problems while maintaining compatibility with existing workflows.

Key benefits: - 10-100x faster than pip for most operations

- Better dependency resolution with clear error messages

- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)

- Drop-in replacement for pip commands

Installation

Install uv using the official installer:

# macOS
curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

Upgrading uv

uv self update

Features

Python versions

uv python install
uv python list
uv python find
uv python pin
uv python uninstall

Scripts

uv run
uv add --script
uv remove --script

Projects

uv init
uv add
uv remove
uv sync
uv lock
uv run
uv tree
uv build
uv publish

Projects details

Dimension	`uv init --package mypackage`	`uv init --lib mypackage`
Purpose / template	Creates a packaged application (good for CLIs or installable apps).	Creates a library intended to be imported and published.
Packaging behavior	Adds packaging metadata so the project is installable.	`--lib` implies `--package`; libraries are always installable.
Layout	Uses a `src/` layout with a top‑level module directory and `__init__.py`.	Also uses a `src/` layout with a top‑level module directory and `__init__.py`.
Type markers	No `py.typed` by default.	Includes `py.typed` so downstream users get inline type hints.
Build system	Adds a `[build-system]` section (default `uv_build`), enabling builds/installs.	Also adds a `[build-system]` section (default `uv_build`).
Entrypoint / scripts	Includes a console script entry in `pyproject.toml` (e.g., `[project.scripts] mypackage = "mypackage:main"`).	No console script by default; focuses on importable APIs.
How you run it	Run the generated command via `uv run mypackage` (mapped to `mypackage:main`).	Import and call the API (e.g., `import mypackage`) or run Python directly.
Intended use cases	Command‑line tools, apps you install and execute, projects that benefit from an entrypoint.	Reusable packages for other projects, publishable libraries with type hints.
CLI/flag nuances	Explicitly selects the “packaged application” template.	Selecting `--lib` automatically selects packaging; same `src/` layout but adds `py.typed`.

Tools

uv tool install
uv tool uninstall
uv tool list

References

UV Documentation