# Mastering `uv`: A Fast Python Package Manager

Python package managers let you install and manage dependencies—such as **NumPy**, **pandas**, and more—directly from your terminal.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to use **uv**, an extremely fast and modern Python package manager.

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## Prerequisites

Before starting, you should:

- Know how to execute commands in your terminal
- Be familiar with basic Python development or scripting

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## Table of Contents

- [Why Use uv?](#why-use-uv)  
- [Install uv](#install-uv)  
- [Create a New Project](#create-a-new-project)  
- [Common uv Commands](#common-uv-commands)  
  - [Add a Dependency](#add-a-dependency)  
  - [Remove a Dependency](#remove-a-dependency)  
  - [Run Python Code](#run-python-code)  
  - [Move Your Project](#move-your-project)  
  - [Add and Run Tools](#add-and-run-tools)  
  - [Run Tools Without Adding](#run-tools-without-adding)  
  - [Manage Multiple Python Versions](#manage-multiple-python-versions)  
  - [Migrate from pip](#migrate-from-pip)  
- [Conclusion](#conclusion)

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## Why Use uv?

**uv** is a free, open-source Python project management tool written in Rust. It is:

- **Blazingly fast**
- **Easy to use**
- Capable of managing virtual environments and dependencies in one place

According to [speed tests](https://docs.astral.sh/uv/), uv outperforms other popular package managers in installation speed.

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## Install uv

### On Linux/macOS:

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

### On Windows:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"

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## Create a New Project

Run:

uv init freecodecamp-project

This creates a `freecodecamp-project/` folder with:

├── .gitignore # git ignore rules

├── .python-version # your Python version

├── README.md # documentation

├── main.py # main Python script

└── pyproject.toml # configuration (name, version, dependencies)

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## Common uv Commands

First, go to your project folder:

cd freecodecamp-project

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### Add a Dependency

To add **NumPy**:

uv add numpy

or specify a version:

uv add 'numpy==2.3.0'

This creates:

├── .venv # virtual environment

└── uv.lock # exact dependency versions

> **Note:** Never edit the `.lock` file manually.

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### Remove a Dependency

uv remove numpy

Removes NumPy from the `.lock` file and the virtual environment.

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### Run Python Code

uv run main.py

Executes your script within the virtual environment—no manual activation required.

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### Move Your Project

Copy the project folder to another machine, then run:

uv sync --locked

Installs dependencies with **exact recorded versions**.

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### Add and Run Tools

Install **ruff** (a linter):

uv add ruff

Run:

uv run ruff check

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### Run Tools Without Adding

One-off run:

uv tool run ruff check

or equivalently

uvx ruff check

Runs the tool in an isolated environment without adding it to dependencies.

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### Manage Multiple Python Versions

Install latest Python

uv python install

Install specific versions

uv python install 3.11 3.12

List installed versions

uv python list

Pin version for current project

uv python pin 3.11

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### Migrate from pip

Use `uv` as a drop-in replacement:

uv pip install -r requirements.txt

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## Conclusion

`uv` dramatically simplifies Python dependency management, virtual environments, and version control—all with impressive speed.

For more, see the [uv documentation](https://docs.astral.sh/uv/).

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### Bonus: Streamlining Content Creation

If you also publish Python or AI-generated content, **[AiToEarn](https://aitoearn.ai/)** offers an open-source AI content monetization ecosystem:

- Generate with AI
- Publish to **Douyin, Kwai, WeChat, Bilibili, Xiaohongshu, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, YouTube, Pinterest, X (Twitter)** simultaneously
- Track analytics  
- Rank AI models

Read the [AiToEarn blog](https://blog.aitoearn.ai/) or explore their [GitHub](https://github.com/yikart/AiToEarn) for technical details.

Combining `uv` with AiToEarn can give developers and creators a **fast, unified workflow** for coding, publishing, and monetizing content.