Problem
For Python projects that contain requirements.txt but do not contain a
.python-version, pyproject.toml with project.requires-python, or
setup.cfg with python_requires, rsconnect-python generates a manifest with
only the exact local interpreter version:
{
"python": {
"version": "3.11.9"
}
}
It does not generate environment.python.requires.
This is likely the most common project layout for Python content deployed to
Posit Connect. The generated manifest therefore relies on the legacy
python.version field rather than expressing the content's compatibility as a
version constraint. This can prevent Connect from rebuilding content with a
different available Python version, particularly when exact version matching
is enabled.
Current behavior
Environment.create_python_environment() detects a requirement only from:
.python-version
pyproject.toml → project.requires-python
setup.cfg → python_requires
When none is present, python_version_requirement remains None.
Manifest consequently omits environment.python.requires, while
python.version is populated with the full version of the interpreter used for
environment inspection.
Proposed behavior
When no explicit Python requirement is found, derive a major/minor-compatible
requirement from the inspected interpreter and include it in the manifest.
For example, packaging with Python 3.11.9 could produce:
{
"python": {
"version": "3.11.9"
},
"environment": {
"python": {
"requires": "~=3.11.0"
}
}
}
An explicit requirement from .python-version, pyproject.toml, or
setup.cfg should continue to take precedence.
The exact fallback constraint syntax is open for discussion, but it should
allow Connect to select an available compatible patch release while preserving
the deployed interpreter's major/minor version.
Motivation
requirements.txt-only projects are common.
- Users should not need to add unrelated packaging metadata solely to obtain
appropriate Python version matching.
- Connect should be able to rebuild content with another compatible Python
installation when the original patch release is unavailable.
- This would make the default behavior consistent with the intent of
environment.python.requires.
Related work
Acceptance criteria
- A Python project containing only
requirements.txt gets an
environment.python.requires fallback derived from the inspected
interpreter.
- The fallback matches compatible patch releases within the same major/minor
version.
- Explicit project constraints continue to override the fallback.
- Generated manifests retain
python.version for backward compatibility.
- Tests cover requirements-only projects and explicit-constraint precedence.
Problem
For Python projects that contain
requirements.txtbut do not contain a.python-version,pyproject.tomlwithproject.requires-python, orsetup.cfgwithpython_requires, rsconnect-python generates a manifest withonly the exact local interpreter version:
{ "python": { "version": "3.11.9" } }It does not generate
environment.python.requires.This is likely the most common project layout for Python content deployed to
Posit Connect. The generated manifest therefore relies on the legacy
python.versionfield rather than expressing the content's compatibility as aversion constraint. This can prevent Connect from rebuilding content with a
different available Python version, particularly when exact version matching
is enabled.
Current behavior
Environment.create_python_environment()detects a requirement only from:.python-versionpyproject.toml→project.requires-pythonsetup.cfg→python_requiresWhen none is present,
python_version_requirementremainsNone.Manifestconsequently omitsenvironment.python.requires, whilepython.versionis populated with the full version of the interpreter used forenvironment inspection.
Proposed behavior
When no explicit Python requirement is found, derive a major/minor-compatible
requirement from the inspected interpreter and include it in the manifest.
For example, packaging with Python 3.11.9 could produce:
{ "python": { "version": "3.11.9" }, "environment": { "python": { "requires": "~=3.11.0" } } }An explicit requirement from
.python-version,pyproject.toml, orsetup.cfgshould continue to take precedence.The exact fallback constraint syntax is open for discussion, but it should
allow Connect to select an available compatible patch release while preserving
the deployed interpreter's major/minor version.
Motivation
requirements.txt-only projects are common.appropriate Python version matching.
installation when the original patch release is unavailable.
environment.python.requires.Related work
environment.python.requireswhen a constraint isexplicitly available.
environment.python.requires#659 addressed adapting.python-versionvalues into version constraints.content after supported Python installations change.
Acceptance criteria
requirements.txtgets anenvironment.python.requiresfallback derived from the inspectedinterpreter.
version.
python.versionfor backward compatibility.