conda-exec#

Ephemeral package execution for conda. Run any conda package without installing it permanently, or run Python scripts with inline dependency metadata.

conda exec ruff check .
conda exec script.py

conda-exec creates a cached, isolated environment, runs the tool or script, and exits. The environment is cached for fast re-use but is not on PATH and is fully disposable. Think npx or uvx for the conda ecosystem.

Install#

conda install -c conda-forge conda-exec

Usage#

conda exec ruff check .                            # run a tool
ce ruff check .                                    # standalone alias
conda exec "ruff>=0.4" check .                     # pin a version
conda exec --with pytest ruff check .              # add extra packages
conda exec -c bioconda samtools view file.bam      # use a different channel
conda exec script.py                               # run a script with inline deps

Getting started

Install and run your first tool in under a minute.

Quickstart
Tutorials

Walk through first runs, caching, and advanced specs.

Tutorials
How-to guides

Run scripts, manage cached environments, and clean up disk.

How-to guides
CLI reference

Complete command-line documentation for conda exec.

CLI reference
Cache layout

How cached environments are structured on disk.

Cache layout
Architecture

Design decisions, solver integration, and how conda-exec fits into the conda plugin ecosystem.

Architecture