

Reinventing Python tooling with Rust (Changelog Interviews #660)
30 snips Oct 1, 2025
Charlie Marsh, founder of Astral and creator of high-performance Python tools like Ruff and uv, dives into why he’s revolutionizing Python tooling with Rust. He discusses the challenges in Python packaging, inspired by Rust's cargo, and shares insights on building a diverse engineering team. Charlie reveals the impressive speed of his tools, thanks to Rust's safety features and clever optimizations. He also introduces PYX, a package registry aimed at simplifying GPU-related Python distribution, showcasing his vision for the future of developer experience.
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One Tool As A Trusted Entrypoint
- Astral models UV after Rust's Cargo to give a single, trusted entrypoint for Python workflows.
- Combining functionality into one tool reduces cognitive load and improves developer confidence.
Ruff Began As A Rust Learning Side Project
- Ruff started as a Rust side project where Charlie wanted to learn the language and shipped a usable linter incrementally.
- That early open-source traction convinced him there was room to expand into a full Python tooling company.
Build The Whole Stack To Automate Workflows
- Controlling the entire stack enables more seamless experiences because components can share knowledge.
- Doing everything from version resolution to environment creation lets UV automate and reduce friction for users.