pip_gui - Python Package Manager GUI

A modern, production-grade desktop application for managing Python packages across virtual environments. Built with Tauri (Rust), Vanilla JS, and Tailwind CSS.

⚠️ NOTICE

[🟡 UPDATE]: The app builds without any compilation errors and runs as well, but the layout is not propely organised and the core backend logic is not being called due to some reason. I am trying to fix this and would like collaboration, if possible.

This project is still under development. Though the project is being worked on throughly, ERRORS MIGHT COME. As a humble request to anyone who sees this, please fork this repo and help me in dev by creating PRs. I really value your help and appreciate it.

Why pip_gui?

• No IDE required - Manage packages without opening an IDE
• venv-aware - Auto-detects and switches between virtual environments
• No embedded Python - Works with your system Python
• Cross-platform - Windows, macOS, Linux
• Fast & native - Rust backend, minimal overhead
• Intentional design - Every feature is production-ready

Quick Start

Install

Download pre-built installers from Releases:

• Windows: pip_gui-installer.msi
• macOS: pip_gui.dmg
• Linux: pip_gui.AppImage or .deb

First Run

1. App launches with Python selection dialog
2. Auto-detects system Python installations
3. Or manually browse to select a Python executable
4. Confirms with python --version and python -m pip --version
5. Selection persisted - no need to select again

Main Interface

Sidebar

• Selected Python version
• Detected virtual environments (quick-switch)
• Navigation tabs

Main Tabs

• Installed Packages: Manage installed packages (upgrade, uninstall)
• Search PyPI: Find and install packages
• Project Dependencies: View requirements.txt and pyproject.toml

Features

Python Management

• Auto-detect system Python installations
• Custom folder browser (no OS dialogs)
• Virtual environment detection and quick-switch
• Validation with version checks
• Path persistence across sessions

Package Operations

• List installed packages with versions
• Search PyPI for new packages
• Install specific versions
• Upgrade to latest
• Downgrade to previous version
• Uninstall with confirmation
• Real-time command output logging

Project Support

• Detect pyproject.toml, requirements.txt, requirements-dev.txt
• Parse PEP 621 dependencies
• Show dependency status: installed ✓, missing ✗, version mismatch ⚠
• Version specifier support: ==, >=, <=, >, <

Virtual Environments

• Auto-detect .venv, venv, env, and custom venvs
• Parse pyvenv.cfg for venv identification
• Quick-switch between venvs in sidebar
• Clearly labeled venv Python selections

Technical Stack

Frontend

• Vanilla JavaScript (no frameworks)
• Tauri IPC for backend communication
• Tailwind CSS for styling
• Vite for build

Backend

• Rust with Tauri 2.0
• Async command handlers
• Native subprocess execution
• PyPI JSON API integration

Cross-platform

• Works with system Python only
• Executes pip via python -m pip
• Safe path validation
• Platform-aware file operations

Architecture

pip_gui Application
├── Frontend (JavaScript)
│   ├── Python Selection UI
│   ├── Folder Browser
│   ├── Package Management UI
│   └── Project Dependencies View
│
└── Backend (Rust)
    ├── Python Detection & Validation
    ├── Virtual Environment Detection
    ├── Directory Listing
    ├── pip Subprocess Execution
    ├── PyPI Metadata Fetching
    └── Project File Parsing

File Structure

pip_gui/
├── src/                          # Frontend
│   ├── index.html               # Main HTML
│   ├── css/input.css            # Tailwind input
│   └── js/main.js               # App logic
│
├── src-tauri/                    # Tauri/Rust backend
│   ├── src/
│   │   ├── main.rs              # App entry
│   │   ├── state.rs             # App state
│   │   ├── models/              # Data structures
│   │   ├── commands/            # Tauri commands
│   │   └── utils/               # Helpers
│   ├── Cargo.toml
│   ├── tailwind.config.js        # Styling
│   └── tauri.conf.json
│
├── vite.config.js               # Frontend build
├── package.json                 # Node dependencies
├── SETUP.md                     # This file
└── README.md                    # README

Development

Prerequisites

• Rust 1.70+
• Node.js 18+
• Tauri CLI

Setup

cargo install tauri-cli --version "^2.0.0" --locked

npm install
cargo tauri dev

Build

cargo tauri build

See SETUP.md for detailed instructions.

CLI Usage

While pip_gui is a GUI app, all operations can be done from terminal with:

# Direct pip usage (why use GUI then?)
python -m pip install requests

# venv management
python -m venv myenv
source myenv/bin/activate  # or myenv\Scripts\activate on Windows

pip_gui just makes this faster and more visual!

Security

• All paths validated before filesystem access
• pip executed without shell (no injection vectors)
• No remote code execution possibilities
• Config stored in user home directory
• Source code auditable and open

Contributing

Contributions welcome! Please:

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Write tests for new commands
4. Submit a pull request

License

MIT

Support

Issues and feature requests: GitHub Issues

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Built with ❤️ using Tauri, Rust, and Python