---
type: reference
title: Python
description: Current best practices for Python projects - uv, pyproject.toml, frameworks, linting, and testing.
tags:
  - python
  - uv
  - fastapi
  - django
  - bootstrap
  - engineering
timestamp: 2026-08-11
verified: 2026-08-28
---

CUT
# Python

This page covers current (2025/2026) best practices for Python projects.

## Package and Project Management

Use `uv` for new projects. `uv` replaces pip, pip-tools, pyenv, poetry, and virtualenv. It is much faster than pip and supports workspaces and lockfiles.

Scaffold a project with:

```bash
uv init my-project --bare
```

The command creates a `pyproject.toml` and a virtual environment. A `uv.lock` file pins exact dependency versions. Do not edit the lockfile by hand.

Use `pyproject.toml` as the project manifest. It follows PEP 621. This replaces the older `setup.py`.

## Tooling

| Category | Tool | Notes |
|----------|------|-------|
| Linter and formatter | Ruff | Replaces Black, isort, flake8, and pylint. |
| Type checker | pyright or mypy | Use pyright in VS Code. Use mypy for strict CI. |
| Testing | pytest | Use pytest-asyncio for async tests. |
| Pre-commit | pre-commit | Run ruff, mypy, and pytest. |

## Framework Comparison

| Framework | Best For | Notes |
|-----------|----------|-------|
| FastAPI | Modern REST APIs, async | Auto documentation, type-hint validation. |
| Django | Full-stack web apps | Batteries included: ORM, admin, auth. |
| Flask | Lightweight apps | Simpler than FastAPI. |

Use FastAPI for new REST APIs. The recommended workflow is `uv run fastapi dev`.

## Notable 2025/2026 Changes

* `uv` is the dominant project manager.
* `ruff` replaced most separate lint and format tools.
* `pyproject.toml` is the universal manifest.
* Python 3.12 gives stability. Python 3.13 adds performance improvements.

## Related Technologies

* Uvicorn as the ASGI server.
* SQLAlchemy 2.0 with Alembic for the ORM and migrations.
* httpx for async HTTP clients.
* pydantic-settings for configuration.
* OpenTelemetry for observability.

## Citations

* [uv documentation](https://docs.astral.sh/uv/)
* [Ruff](https://ruff.rs/)
* [FastAPI](https://fastapi.tiangolo.com/)
* [pyproject-build](https://pyproject-build.github.io/)

## See Also

* [SDLC and Tooling](../sdlc.md)
* [Infrastructure and Cloud](../infra/index.md)