What is the equivalent of `conda develop`? #6819

NichtJens · 2026-08-14T10:36:48Z

NichtJens
Aug 14, 2026

I am transitioning a conda env to pixi where conda develop is used.

I see that the pip-equivalent (pip install -e) is supported by something like:

[pypi-dependencies]
pkgname = {path = "...", editable = true}

What would be the equivalent of the conda version? I was expecting:

[dependencies]
pkgname = {path = "...", editable = true}

to work, but it does not...

CasperKristiansson · 2026-08-14T13:38:56Z

CasperKristiansson
Aug 14, 2026

Use the pypi-dependencies form you found. Despite the name, it does not move the rest of the environment away from conda: Pixi resolves the conda packages first, then installs this local Python project editable into the same environment.

[pypi-dependencies]
pkgname = { path = "../pkgname", editable = true }

That is the closest managed equivalent to the default conda develop PATH behavior. conda develop is not an editable conda-package dependency; it makes Python import from the source tree by adding the path to conda.pth. The local directory must be an installable Python project, with suitable pyproject.toml or legacy build metadata.

[dependencies] has different semantics: it expects a conda MatchSpec or a Pixi source package, so editable is not a valid field there. If the target directory already describes a Pixi package using pixi-build-python, the source-package form is instead:

[dependencies]
pkgname = { path = "../pkgname" }

In Pixi 0.76.2, pixi-build-python installs that source package editable during pixi install, but pixi-build is still a preview feature and requires the package manifest/build-backend setup. For a straightforward conda develop migration, the first form is the simpler fit.

1 reply

NichtJens Aug 14, 2026
Author

This is very helpful. Thank you!

Weirdly enough, I have your recommendation working now on one machine but it fails miserably on another (which is a CI/CD runner):

thread 'main2' panicked at /home/runner/work/pixi/pixi/crates/pixi_core/src/lock_file/resolve/build_dispatch.rs:445:17:
could not initialize build dispatch correctly

(a backtrace with lots of unknown here -- can add those if helpful)

Error:   x failed to solve the pypi requirements of environment 'default' for platform 'linux-64'
  `-> build dispatch initialization failed: failed to query interpreter in instantiated prefix

I fear, I cannot make sense of this message. The editable package is the only pypi dependency.

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NichtJens Aug 14, 2026 Author

What is the equivalent of `conda develop`? #6819

NichtJens
Aug 14, 2026

Replies: 1 comment

CasperKristiansson
Aug 14, 2026

NichtJens Aug 14, 2026
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