The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source Reinventing Python tooling with Rust (Interview)
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Oct 1, 2025 
Charlie Marsh, founder of Astral, shares his journey reinventing Python tooling with Rust. He discusses creating Ruff, a fast linter, and UV, a speedy package manager. Charlie emphasizes designing tools inspired by Rust's Cargo and highlights the importance of performance and simplicity. He reveals insights into building a commercial registry, PYX, and addressing GPU packaging challenges. With a focus on cross-pollinating ideas from various ecosystems, Charlie outlines the vision for a cohesive Python development experience.
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Ruff Laid The Groundwork For Astral
- Ruff began as a Rust linter side project while Charlie learned Rust, then grew into a company foundation.
- That early open source traction convinced him packaging was the next vital problem to solve.
End-To-End Control Enables Better UX
- Building the entire packaging stack lets Astral make components aware of each other and automate workflows.
- That end-to-end control enables features like auto-installing the correct Python and creating consistent environments.
Iterate Publicly From A Focused First Release
- Release incrementally and scope the first version to real user needs, not every planned feature.
- Use early, narrow releases to validate demand and iterate publicly with users.