PyPositron

PyPositron is currently in alpha stage. It is not yet ready for production use, but you can try it out and contribute to its development. See more in Contributing.

PyPositron is a Python-powered desktop app framework that lets you build cross-platform apps using HTML, CSS, and Python—just like Electron, but with Python as the backend. Write your UI in HTML/CSS, add interactivity with Python, and run your app natively!

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Features

• Build desktop apps using HTML and CSS.
• Use Python for backend and frontend logic. (with support for both Python and JS)
• Use any web framework (like Bootstrap, Tailwind, React, etc.) for your UI.
• Use any HTML builder UI for your app (like Bootstrap Studio, Pinegrow, etc)
• Use JS for compatibility with existing HTML/CSS frameworks.
• Use AI tools for generating your UI without needing proprietary system prompts- simply tell it to generate HTML/CSS/JS UI for your app.
• Virtual environment support.
• Efficient installer creation for easy distribution (that does not exist yet) (The installer automatically finds an existing browser instead of installing a new one for every app like Electron.JS).

Why PyPositron?

Compared to Electron and other Python frameworks (like PyQt)-

Feature	PyPositron	Electron	PyQt
Language	Python	JavaScript, C, C++, etc	Python
UI Frameworks	Any web technologies	Any Web technologies	Qt Widgets
Packaging	Efficient installer or standalone executable (not yet implemented)	Electron Builder	PyInstaller etc
Performance	Lightweight	Heavyweight	Lightweight
AI Compatibility	Yes	Yes*	No*
Compatibility	All frontend and backend HTML/CSS/JS frameworks and web technologies	All frontend and backend HTML/CSS/JS frameworks and web technologies	Limited to Qt

* maybe

Quick Start

1. Create a New Project

Install PyPositron if not already installed:

pip install py-positron 

Them create a new project using the CLI:

positron create
# Follow the prompts to set up your project

There should be directories in this structure-

your_app/
├── backend
│   └── main.py
├── frontend/
│   └── index.html
├── [win/linux]venv/ # If created
│   └──...
├── LICENSE #MIT by default
├── config.json
└── ...

• backend/main.py: Entry point for your app.
• frontend/index.html: Your app's UI (HTML/CSS/inline Python/JS).
• winvenv/ or linuxvenv/: (Optional) Virtual environment for dependencies.

2. Run Your App

positron start

This should open up a window with a checkmark and a button.

CLI Commands

Command	Description
positron create	Create a new PyPositron project (interactive setup).
positron start [--executable <python>]	Run your PyPositron app (optionally specify Python interpreter).
positron install <package>	Install a Python package into the project venv.
positron venv	Create a virtual environment inside your project folder.

Example Output

The default example project created with positron start.

A simple example code editor (dark on the right) with the backend code shown (left).

Documentation & Resources

• Official Tutorial & Docs

License and code of conduct.

This project uses the GNU AGPL v3 License. See LICENSE for details. If you have any problems with this, feel free to open an issue/dicussion.

This project follows a Contributor Covenant Code of Conduct.

Contributing

This project is in alpha stage. Contributions are welcome. See Contributing for details. Things to do-

• Make documentation and README that is not AI-generated
• Add more examples and tutorials
• Make the installer/executable creation system
• Test on Linux
• Add support for MacOS
• Add building and packaging features (like converting to executables/installers that can run on any system without Python installed)
• Optimize performance.