# Python environments

Source: https://docs.openwebui.com/getting-started/quick-start/install-methods/python-environments

Three ways to keep the Python install isolated. A plain `pip install open-webui` is on the [Quick Start](/getting-started/quick-start?setup-method=python); this page covers `uv`, Conda and `venv`, and how to uninstall any of them.

> **Python version compatibility**
>
> Open WebUI supports **Python 3.11 and 3.12**. **Python 3.13 is not supported yet**: a handful of our dependencies still need to ship 3.13-compatible releases, and until they do, installs on 3.13 will fail or break at runtime.
>
>
> - **For production**, run the **Docker image** or use the **latest Python 3.11**. This is the combination we test against most heavily.
> - **Python 3.12 also works**, but we have seen very rare reports of odd behaviour on 3.12 that we have not reproduced on 3.11. If something inexplicable happens on 3.12, drop to the latest 3.11 first.

## Installation with `uv`

The `uv` runtime manager ensures seamless Python environment management for applications like Open WebUI. Follow these steps to get started:

### 1. Install `uv`

Pick the appropriate installation command for your operating system:

- **macOS/Linux**:

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

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

### 2. Run Open WebUI

Once `uv` is installed, running Open WebUI is a breeze. Use the command below, ensuring to set the `DATA_DIR` environment variable to avoid data loss. Example paths are provided for each platform:

- **macOS/Linux**:

```
DATA_DIR=~/.open-webui uvx --python 3.11 open-webui@latest serve
```
- **Windows** (PowerShell):

```
$env:DATA_DIR="C:\open-webui\data"; uvx --python 3.11 open-webui@latest serve
```

Open WebUI is now running at [http://localhost:8080](http://localhost:8080).

> **Why set DATA_DIR?**
>
> Setting `DATA_DIR` ensures your chats and settings are saved in a predictable location. If you don't set it, `uvx` might store it in a temporary folder that gets deleted when the process ends.

### Uninstall

To remove Open WebUI when running with `uvx`:

1. **Stop the Server:** Press `Ctrl+C` in the terminal where it's running.
2. **Uninstall from UV:** Enter `uv tool uninstall open-webui`
3. **Available cleanup commands:** The `uvx` command runs the application ephemerally or from cache. To remove cached components:

```
uv cache clean
```
4. **Remove Data (WARNING: Deletes all data):** Delete your data directory (default is `~/.open-webui` or the path set in `DATA_DIR`):

```
rm -rf ~/.open-webui
```

---

## Install with Conda

1. **Create a Conda Environment:**

```
conda create -n open-webui python=3.11
```
2. **Activate the Environment:**

```
conda activate open-webui
```
3. **Install Open WebUI:**

```
pip install open-webui
```
4. **Start the Server:**

```
open-webui serve
```

> **'open-webui: command not found'?**
>
> If your terminal says the command doesn't exist:
>
>
> 1. Ensure your conda environment is **activated** (`conda activate open-webui`).
> 2. If you want to store your data in a specific place, use (Linux/Mac): `DATA_DIR=./data open-webui serve` or (Windows): `$env:DATA_DIR=".\data"; open-webui serve`

### Uninstall

1. **Remove the Conda Environment:**

```
conda remove --name open-webui --all
```
2. **Remove Data (WARNING: Deletes all data):** Delete your data directory (usually `~/.open-webui` unless configured otherwise):

```
rm -rf ~/.open-webui
```

---

## Using Virtual Environments

Create isolated Python environments using `venv`.

### Venv Steps

1. **Create a Virtual Environment:**

```
python3 -m venv venv
```
2. **Activate the Virtual Environment:**

- On Linux/macOS:

```
source venv/bin/activate
```
- On Windows:

```
venv\Scripts\activate
```
3. **Install Open WebUI:**

```
pip install open-webui
```
4. **Start the Server:**

```
open-webui serve
```

> **'open-webui: command not found'?**
>
> If your terminal says the command doesn't exist:
>
>
> 1. Ensure your virtual environment is **activated** (Step 2).
> 2. If you want to store your data in a specific place, use: `DATA_DIR=./data open-webui serve`

### Uninstall

1. **Delete the Virtual Environment:** Simply remove the `venv` folder:

```
rm -rf venv
```
2. **Remove Data (WARNING: Deletes all data):** Delete your data directory (usually `~/.open-webui` unless configured otherwise):

```
rm -rf ~/.open-webui
```

---

## Uninstall a plain pip install

1. **Uninstall the package:**

```
pip uninstall open-webui
```
2. **Remove data (optional, deletes all data):**

```
rm -rf ~/.open-webui
```