Question 1

How does shiv compare to PEX?

Accepted Answer

Shiv and PEX both create self-contained Python executables, but shiv focuses on simplicity and strict PEP 441 compliance, while PEX offers more advanced features like better cross-platform support and dependency resolution. Shiv is often preferred for straightforward, single-file distributions with minimal setup.

Question 2

Can shiv handle Python packages with C extensions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but with limitations. Shiv can bundle C extensions, but the README warns that the resulting .pyz file may not be cross-platform; it's best built and used on the same architecture to avoid runtime errors.

Question 3

How to change where shiv extracts files on execution?

Accepted Answer

You can override the default extraction directory by setting the SHIV_ROOT environment variable before running the .pyz file. This allows customization for different deployment scenarios, such as using a temporary directory for isolated environments.

Question 4

Is shiv good for creating Windows executables?

Accepted Answer

Shiv works on Windows, but it creates .pyz files that still require a Python interpreter on the target system. For standalone .exe files without Python dependencies, tools like PyInstaller or cx_Freeze might be more suitable.

Question 5

How to include multiple dependencies in a shiv executable?

Accepted Answer

Simply list all dependencies after the shiv command, similar to pip install. For example, 'shiv -c myapp -o app.pyz requests pandas' will bundle both packages into a single executable.

Question 6

What happens if I run a shiv executable on a different OS?

Accepted Answer

If the dependencies are pure Python, it might work, but for packages with C extensions, it likely won't, as noted in the gotchas. Always test on the target platform or rebuild the .pyz file there for reliability.

Question 7

How to update a package in a shiv executable?

Accepted Answer

You need to rebuild the .pyz file entirely using the shiv command with the updated package version, as shiv creates static executables that don't support dynamic updates. This can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines for automation.

shiv

What is shiv?

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