Hatch is a free, open-source Python project manager for creating projects and managing development environments. It can start projects from templates or initialize existing ones, including migrating setuptools configuration from setup.py. Its environment tools support custom scripts and UV, with manual Python installations or automatic installation within environments. Hatch supports reproducible builds, test execution, and static analysis backed by Ruff. It can publish packages to PyPI and other package indices; lockfile support, dependency groups, and private registry support are also listed capabilities. Hatch extends through pluggy-based plugins, with documented extension types for environments, builders, publishers, and other project tasks. Visual Studio Code can discover Hatch environments through the vscode-python extension, and an official GitHub Actions install action is documented. Installation options include standalone installers or binaries for Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus methods such as pip, pipx, Homebrew, and Conda. Hatch is distributed under the MIT license. Its documentation provides a self-report command that prepares a GitHub issue for unexpected behavior.
Who it is for
Hatch suits Python developers who want tools for project setup, environment management, testing, builds, and package publishing. Its plugin system and multiple installation options may also suit teams with varied development workflows.
What is good
- Creates projects from templates and initializes existing projects
- Manages environments with custom scripts and UV support
- Supports reproducible builds, testing, and Ruff analysis
- Publishes packages to PyPI and other indices
- MIT-licensed and available across Linux, macOS, and Windows
What to know first
- Unexpected behavior reporting prepares a GitHub issue
- No graphical interface is listed
Verdict
Hatch covers Python project setup, environments, testing, builds, and publishing, with extension points for additional tasks. It is free and MIT-licensed, and its documentation directs issue reporting through a self-report command.
Hatch plans and pricing
All plansCompared on Python package managers
- Lockfile support
- Yes
- Environment management
- Yes
- Package publishing
- Yes
- Private registry
- Yes
- Dependency groups
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- cross-platform
