Drop support for Python 3.8 and Python 3.9

What are we doing?

The RAP team will be dropping support for Python 3.8 and Python 3.9 soon in the pipeline library (thread). This means we will need to remove support for Python 3.8 and Python 3.9 from the OpenSAFELY CLI. This may affect some researchers.

We test with Python 3.8 + 3.9, and also produce the build with Python 3.8 and 3.9. Existing users with local setups may be using an existing Python 3.8/Python 3.9 installation to run this software.

Why are we doing this?

Python 3.8 is end-of-life as of 2024-10-07. Python 3.9 is end-of-life as of 2025-11-31. There could be security vulnerabilities in the future that affect the CLI or one of its dependencies, like the pipeline library.

How will we know when it's done?

The OpenSAFELY CLI will no longer be tested or built for Python 3.8 and 3.9.

What will we do?

• We'll run a poll to see if it's likely any researchers will be affected
• Potentially provide information to affected users about how to upgrade their version of Python (dependent on outcome of poll); see also #103.
  • OpenSAFELY Users Slack poll
  • OpenSAFELY Slack poll
• Remove Python 3.8 and 3.9 from the test and build steps
  • https://github.com/opensafely-core/opensafely-cli/pull/411
  • https://github.com/opensafely-core/opensafely-cli/pull/407
• Tag a new release
  • https://github.com/opensafely-core/opensafely-cli/releases/tag/v2.0.1
• Let the RAP Team know, so they can update the dependencies to address security vulnerabilities
• #431
• #432