rules_python is the home for 4 major components with varying maturity levels.
:::{topic} Core rules
The core Python rules -- py_library, py_binary, py_test, py_proto_library, and related symbols that provide the basis for Python support in Bazel.
When using Bazel 6 (or earlier), the core rules are bundled into the Bazel binary, and the symbols in this repository are simple aliases. On Bazel 7 and above rules_python uses a separate Starlark implementation, see {ref}Migrating from the Bundled Rules below.
Once rules_python 1.0 is released, they will follow semantic versioning and the breaking change policy outlined in the support page.
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:::{topic} PyPI integration
Package installation rules for integrating with PyPI and other SimpleAPI compatible indexes.
These rules work and can be used in production, but the cross-platform building that supports pulling PyPI dependencies for a target platform that is different from the host platform is still in beta and the APIs that are subject to potential change are marked as experimental.
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:::{topic} Sphinxdocs
sphinxdocs rules allow users to generate documentation using Sphinx powered by Bazel, with additional functionality for documenting Starlark and Bazel code.
The functionality is exposed because other projects find it useful, but it is available as is and the semantic versioning and compatibility policy used by rules_python does not apply.
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:::{topic} Gazelle plugin
gazelle plugin for generating BUILD.bazel files based on Python source code.
This is available as is and the semantic versioning used by rules_python does not apply.
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The Bazel community maintains this repository. Neither Google nor the Bazel team provides support for the code. However, this repository is part of the test suite used to vet new Bazel releases. See {gh-path}How to contribute <CONTRIBUTING.md> for information on our development workflow.
This documentation is an example of sphinxdocs rules and the rest of the components have examples in the {gh-path}examples directory.
The core rules are currently available in Bazel as built-in symbols, but this form is deprecated. Instead, you should depend on rules_python in your WORKSPACE or MODULE.bazel file and load the Python rules from @rules_python//python:defs.bzl or load paths described in the API documentation.
A buildifier fix is available to automatically migrate BUILD and .bzl files to add the appropriate load() statements and rewrite uses of native.py_*.
# Also consider using the -r flag to modify an entire workspace. buildifier --lint=fix --warnings=native-py <files>
Currently, the WORKSPACE file needs to be updated manually as per Getting started.
Note that Starlark-defined bundled symbols underneath @bazel_tools//tools/python are also deprecated. These are not yet rewritten by buildifier.
See {gh-path}Bzlmod support <BZLMOD_SUPPORT.md> for any behaviour differences between bzlmod and WORKSPACE.
:hidden: self getting-started pypi-dependencies Toolchains <toolchains> pip coverage precompiling gazelle Contributing <contributing> support Changelog <changelog> api/index environment-variables Sphinxdocs <sphinxdocs/index> glossary genindex