| .. _compatibility-requirements: |
| |
| ############### |
| Compatibility |
| ############### |
| |
| ********************************** |
| Supported Python implementations |
| ********************************** |
| |
| ``virtualenv`` works with the following Python interpreter implementations. Only the latest patch version of each minor |
| version is fully supported; previous patch versions work on a best effort basis. |
| |
| CPython |
| ======= |
| |
| ``3.15 >= python_version >= 3.9`` |
| |
| PyPy |
| ==== |
| |
| ``3.11 >= python_version >= 3.9`` |
| |
| GraalPy |
| ======= |
| |
| ``24.1`` and later (Linux and macOS only). |
| |
| RustPython |
| ========== |
| |
| Experimental support (Linux, macOS, and Windows). `RustPython <https://github.com/RustPython/RustPython>`_ implements |
| Python 3.14. |
| |
| **************** |
| Support policy |
| **************** |
| |
| - **New versions** are added close to their release date, typically during the beta phase. |
| - **Old versions** are dropped 18 months after `CPython EOL <https://devguide.python.org/versions/>`_, giving users |
| plenty of time to migrate. |
| |
| ************************** |
| Version support timeline |
| ************************** |
| |
| Major version support changes: |
| |
| - **21.5.0** (2026-06-13): dropped support for running under and creating environments for Python 3.8 and earlier. |
| - **20.27.0** (2024-10-17): dropped support for running under Python 3.7 and earlier. |
| - **20.22.0** (2023-04-19): dropped support for creating environments for Python 3.6 and earlier. |
| - **20.18.0** (2023-02-06): dropped support for running under Python 3.6 and earlier. |
| |
| ***************************** |
| Supported operating systems |
| ***************************** |
| |
| CPython is shipped in multiple forms, and each OS repackages it, often applying some customization. The platforms listed |
| below are tested. Unlisted platforms may work but are not explicitly supported. If you encounter issues on unlisted |
| platforms, please open a feature request. |
| |
| Cross-platform |
| ============== |
| |
| These Python distributions work on Linux, macOS, and Windows: |
| |
| - Installations from `python.org <https://www.python.org/downloads/>`_ |
| - `python-build-standalone <https://github.com/astral-sh/python-build-standalone>`_ builds (used by `uv |
| <https://docs.astral.sh/uv/>`_ and `mise <https://mise.jdx.dev/>`_) |
| - Python versions managed by `pyenv <https://github.com/pyenv/pyenv>`_, `mise <https://mise.jdx.dev/>`_, or `asdf |
| <https://asdf-vm.com/>`_ (shims are automatically resolved to the real binary) |
| |
| Linux |
| ===== |
| |
| - Ubuntu 16.04 and later (both upstream and `deadsnakes <https://launchpad.net/~deadsnakes/+archive/ubuntu/ppa>`_ |
| builds) |
| - Fedora |
| - RHEL and CentOS |
| - OpenSuse |
| - Arch Linux |
| |
| macOS |
| ===== |
| |
| - Python versions installed via `Homebrew <https://docs.brew.sh/Homebrew-and-Python>`_ (works, but `not recommended |
| <https://justinmayer.com/posts/homebrew-python-is-not-for-you/>`_ -- Homebrew may upgrade or remove Python versions |
| without warning, breaking existing virtual environments) |
| - Python 3 part of XCode (Python framework builds at ``/Library/Frameworks/Python3.framework/``) |
| |
| .. note:: |
| |
| Framework builds do not support copy-based virtual environments. Use symlink or hardlink creation methods instead. |
| |
| Windows |
| ======= |
| |
| - `Windows Store <https://apps.microsoft.com/search?query=python>`_ Python 3.9 and later |
