python / python/cpython

Store python interoperates poorly with common dev tools (vscode+mypy, git-bash, cygwin,)

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OS-windows type-bug
Dominant language
Python
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Description

I had a brief chat on twitter with @zooba about this.

Bug report

The MS Store version of Python has something about it (sorry for vagueness - don't know the cause) that means existing software fails to invoke it with a "Permission Denied" error. Stackoverflow and other forums are full of these reports, with folk 'fixing' the problem by uninstalling the store version, or mucking with PATH etc to put the 'normal' installed version ahead on the PATH.

I recognize that this may be caused by something outside cpythons direct control, but there seems to be a cluster of programs with issues, and significant developer friction encountered, so if we can do anything to make the experience better (e.g. fund other projects to deal with the consequences of our choice, or ask MS to allow better interop between store and non-store programs or some such), that would be great.

Specific cases I've encountered:

  • git-bash within vscode, running 'python' or 'pip' etc in the terminal window results in that error. Similarly when invoked from with Makefiles and so on.

  • mypy extension for vscode installed; the mypy extension fails to find dmypy installed via the store python's pip.

  • poetry also fails with the MS store python version but a different error (they have a cluster of bugs - https://github.com/python-poetry/poetry/issues/2746 and similar with attempts to state non-existing files) - I think these are a different but perhaps related problem.

Your environment

Windows 11 up to date, Python 3.9 from the store.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by reproducing the Permission Denied behavior on Windows 11 with the Microsoft Store Python in VS Code's git-bash terminal, including the mypy extension and pip-installed tools. The issue names no CPython files or tests; done would require identifying a concrete, validated interoperability improvement or documenting that coordination with the affected tools or Microsoft is needed.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
bash, git, python, vscode
Domain
developer-experience, tooling
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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