Rattler

What Rattler is
Rattler is a free Rust library for building software that works with the Conda ecosystem without requiring Python. It can solve Conda environments, download and install packages, and run commands inside those environments. The project provides a Rust API plus bindings for other languages. Python developers can use `py-rattler` through pip or conda, while `@conda-org/rattler` is a WebAssembly package for browsers and Node.js, installable with npm. Rattler supports .conda and .tar.bz2 packages, dependency resolution, lockfiles, and authentication for private registries. Its components cover package archives, repository metadata, environment solving, shell activation, lockfiles, networking, and related tasks. The `rattler_sigstore` crate discovers, downloads, and verifies Sigstore attestations for Conda packages. Examples cover Windows, Linux, and macOS, including JupyterLab. The repository uses a BSD-3-Clause license and directs questions and contributions to Discord.
Who it suits
Rattler suits developers creating tools or libraries that need Conda functionality from Rust or other languages. It also fits projects targeting Python, browsers, Node.js, Windows, macOS, or Linux.
What it does well
- Works with Conda without requiring Python
- Supports dependency resolution and lockfiles
- Python and WebAssembly language bindings
- Private registry authentication included
- Verifies Sigstore package attestations
What to know first
- No free trial is listed
- Requires development work to integrate
- Package formats are limited to .conda and .tar.bz2
Verdict
Rattler provides broad Conda environment and package capabilities through Rust, with bindings for Python and JavaScript targets. Its lockfiles, registry authentication, and package-attestation support are useful for developers building Conda-aware software.
Facts from Rattler's own pages
- Browser use
- The README names mambajs as a user of Rattler for solving and installing packages from the emscripten-forge channel in a browser. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Community support
- The README directs contributors with questions or requests to the project's Discord server. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Components
- The project includes crates for package archives, repository metadata, environment solving, shell activation, lockfiles, networking, and other Conda-related tasks. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Dependency resolution
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Environment workflows
- Rattler can solve environments, install packages, and run commands in Conda environments. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Installation
- The README documents installing py-rattler with pip or conda and installing @conda-org/rattler with npm. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project says Rattler is actively used by Pixi, rattler-build, and the prefix.dev backend. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Rattler is intended for developers building tools and libraries that need to interact with the Conda ecosystem from Rust or other languages. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- JavaScript bindings
- The `@conda-org/rattler` package is compiled to WebAssembly and can be used in browsers or Node.js. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Language bindings
- Rattler offers Python bindings and JavaScript bindings compiled to WebAssembly for browsers and Node.js. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository lists a BSD-3-Clause license. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Lockfile support
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Operating systems
- The README gives example commands for Windows, Linux, and macOS. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Package formats
- .conda,.tar.bz2 · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Package verification
- The `rattler_sigstore` crate discovers, fetches, and verifies Sigstore attestations of Conda packages. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Package workflows
- Rattler can solve environments, download and install packages, and run programs in Conda environments. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Private registry auth
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Product
- Rattler is a Rust library that provides functionality for working with the Conda ecosystem without requiring Python. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Its stated goal is to let applications work with Conda without depending on Python. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Python bindings
- Python bindings are available as `py-rattler` through pip or conda, and the README says they are designed for asyncio. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Rust API
- The project describes Rattler as providing a clean API and language bindings for use in non-Rust projects. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- The security policy asks users to report vulnerabilities through GitHub Security Advisories and says the security team will provide progress updates after its initial response. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support and community
- The README invites contributors and directs questions, requests, or informal discussion to its Discord server. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where Rattler stands on Freedom251
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