Running Python Scripts
Last updated on 2025-08-13 | Edit this page
Overview
Questions
- What is a Python script?
- How can I run a Python script?
Objectives
- Learn about Python scripts and how to run them.
- Add dependencies to a Python script.
What is a Python script?
A Python script is just a Python file like example.py
. A
Python file is also referred to as a module in the context of a Python
package but for this lesson we will use the script definition.
Running a script with uv
Below is the contents of a Python script named
example.py
. This script does not have any external
dependencies. It only uses features available in the Python standard
library.
PYTHON
# example.py
import random
def main():
print("Script using standard Python")
print("Random number is", random.random())
if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
Use the following command to run the script with uv:
Running a script with dependencies
Below is the contents of another Python script named
example2.py
. This script imports the NumPy package which is
an external dependency (not included in Python).
PYTHON
# example2.py
import numpy as np
def main():
print("Hello from NumPy!")
a = np.array([1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
print("a is", a)
if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
To run this code, uv must install the NumPy package so it can be imported by the script. The command shown below will add a script section that provides the Python version and list of dependencies.
PYTHON
# /// script
# requires-python = ">=3.13"
# dependencies = [
# "numpy",
# ]
# ///
import numpy as np
def main():
print("Hello from NumPy!")
a = np.array([1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
print("a is", a)
if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
Now you can execute the script using the same run command used in the previous example:
By including the script section in a Python script, anyone can run that Python file with uv. You don’t have to worry about installing Python or creating a virtual environment and downloading dependencies. You just use uv to run the file and it will automatically install Python if it isn’t available on your computer and it will automatically install any dependencies needed to run the script.
Here is a demo of using uv to run a Python script that imports the NumPy package. This recording is animated text (not video); consequently, the text for each command is selectable and can be copied and pasted into your own terminal.
- A Python script is just a single Python file.
- Dependencies can be added to a script to make it self contained.
- Scripts can easily be run with uv which handles Python and installation and dependency management.