Rattler
Rattler is a free Rust library for building Conda ecosystem tools without depending on Python.
What Rattler is
Rattler is a free Rust library for building Conda ecosystem tools without depending on Python. Its components solve environments, download and extract packages, create environments, and activate them to run programs. Bindings extend these workflows to other languages: py-rattler is available through pip or conda and is designed for asyncio, while the @conda-org/rattler package is compiled to WebAssembly for browsers or Node.js. The bindings can solve, install, and run commands in Conda environments. Rattler also provides networking for authentication and mirroring, plus a component that discovers, fetches, and verifies Sigstore attestations for Conda packages. It is used by Pixi, rattler-build, and the prefix.dev backend. The public repository lists a BSD-3-Clause license. Enterprise builds cover Linux, macOS, and Windows, with optional contracted support and security materials.
Good
- Rust implementation avoids a Python dependency
- Bindings for Python and JavaScript
- Environment solving and package workflows
- Sigstore attestation verification
- Networking for authentication and mirroring
Watch out
- Focused on developers building Conda-related tools
- Enterprise support is separately contracted
- Questions are directed to a Discord community
Who it suits
Rattler suits developers embedding Conda workflows into tools and applications. It is relevant to teams needing Rust, Python, or JavaScript integrations, environment management, and lockfile support.
Verdict
Rattler provides a broad foundation for Conda environment and package workflows across several languages. Its bindings, verification component, and networking features make it suitable for developers constructing integrations rather than end-user desktop use.
The facts
Each one read from Rattler's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Additional bindings
- The Rattler repository says its Python and JavaScript bindings can solve, install, and run commands in Conda environments.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Conda channel example
- The maker’s Python example solves package specifications using the conda-forge channel.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Enterprise security materials
- The maker says it can provide a DPA, SBOM and provenance per release, and its CVE remediation policy.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Enterprise support
- The maker offers contracted support for Rattler with agreed response times, issue triage, fixes, and direct maintainer access.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Install Python bindings
- The maker’s page shows installing py-rattler with either `pixi add py-rattler` or `uv add py-rattler`.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Rattler is used by Pixi, rattler-build, and the prefix.dev backend.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker presents Rattler as a library for developers building custom Conda-related tools and applications.checked 8 Oct 2026
- JavaScript bindings
- The @conda-org/rattler JavaScript package is compiled to WebAssembly and can run in browsers or Node.js.checked 8 Oct 2026
- JavaScript integration
- The repository says the JavaScript package is compiled to WebAssembly and can run in a browser or Node.js.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Language and API
- Rattler is written in Rust and provides bindings for other languages.checked 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies its license as BSD-3-Clause.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Networking
- Rattler includes networking functionality for authentication and mirroring.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Rattler’s public GitHub repository describes it as Rust crates for the Conda ecosystem and lists a BSD-3-Clause license.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Package workflows
- Its components can solve environments, download and extract packages, create environments, and activate them to run programs.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Rattler is a set of Rust crates for building custom applications that use Conda packages and environments.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Python bindings
- Python bindings expose Rattler’s functionality for programmatic interaction with Conda environments.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security feature
- A Rattler component discovers, fetches, and verifies Sigstore attestations for Conda packages.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maintainers direct users with questions to their Discord community.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Used by
- The maker says Rattler is a core building block for Pixi, rattler-build, and the prefix.dev website backend.checked 8 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Supported platforms
- The maker says enterprise builds covering Rattler are available on Linux, macOS, and Windows.checked 8 Oct 2026
