One command. Any stack. Generate production-ready Python apps by composing templates, addons, and AI-ready conventions.
From blank folder to a working FastAPI, Django, Celery, CLI, or uv workspace project with modern tooling and team-friendly automation.
Official Site · Templates · Extensions · Docs · GitHub · PyPI
uv (recommended):
uvx create-awesome-python-app@latest my-apppipx:
pipx run create-awesome-python-app my-appHomebrew (macOS / Linux):
brew tap Create-Python-App/tap
brew install create-awesome-python-appAUR (Arch Linux):
yay -S create-awesome-python-app # or: paru -S create-awesome-python-appDocker:
docker run --rm -it -v "${PWD}:/app" -w /app \
ulisesjeremias/create-awesome-python-app:latest my-app \
--template fastapi-starterInteractive by default outside CI. For automation, run headless with flags:
uvx create-awesome-python-app my-api \
--template fastapi-starter \
--addons github-setup \
--addons fastapi-sqlalchemy \
--no-interactive| If you want... | Start here |
|---|---|
| A guided local setup | uvx create-awesome-python-app@latest my-app |
| A repeatable CI/platform flow | --no-interactive with explicit flags |
| Your company starter | --template <github-url> or --template file:// |
| Private standards layered in | --extend <url> |
create-awesome-python-app --install-completion # bash / zsh / fish
create-awesome-python-app --show-completion # print script onlyAfter installing, restart the shell (or source your profile) and tab-complete
flags such as --template, --addons, and cache subcommands.
| Capability | Value |
|---|---|
| Composable by design | Start with a template, then layer only the addons your project actually needs. |
| Production-ready defaults | uv, Ruff, Pyright, tests, docs, and practical DX defaults out of the box. |
| AI-ready from day one | Supported templates generate AGENTS.md so coding agents understand the project context. |
| CI and platform friendly | Use --no-interactive, --set, --template <url>, and --extend <url> for repeatable runs. |
template -> addons -> custom options -> install -> git init -> AI-ready project
You can mix catalog templates and addons with your own GitHub or file:// sources.
| Category | Example templates |
|---|---|
| Backend | fastapi-starter, django-api, celery-worker |
| CLI | cli-starter |
| Monorepo | uv-workspace-starter |
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| CI / tooling | github-setup, development-container |
| Containers | fastapi-docker, django-docker, celery-docker |
| Database | postgres, fastapi-sqlalchemy, fastapi-redis |
| Observability | fastapi-sentry |
| Security | fastapi-auth-jwt |
Browse the live catalog on the official site or in cpa-templates.
uvx create-awesome-python-app my-api \
--template fastapi-starter \
--addons github-setup \
--addons fastapi-sqlalchemy \
--no-interactiveuvx create-awesome-python-app my-django \
--template django-api \
--addons github-setup \
--addons postgres \
--addons django-docker \
--no-interactiveuvx create-awesome-python-app my-worker \
--template celery-worker \
--addons github-setup \
--addons celery-docker \
--no-interactiveuvx create-awesome-python-app my-cli \
--template cli-starter \
--addons github-setup \
--no-interactiveuvx create-awesome-python-app my-workspace \
--template uv-workspace-starter \
--addons github-setup \
--no-interactiveuvx create-awesome-python-app my-internal-app \
--template "https://github.com/your-org/platform-starters?subdir=templates/internal-app" \
--no-interactiveuvx create-awesome-python-app my-local-app \
--template "file:///absolute/path/to/cpa-templates?subdir=templates/fastapi-starter" \
--no-interactive
file://template URLs should be absolute paths (for examplefile:///Users/...orfile:///home/...).
uvx create-awesome-python-app my-app \
--template fastapi-starter \
--addons github-setup \
--extend "https://github.com/your-org/platform-starters?subdir=extensions/company-ci"uvx create-awesome-python-app my-app \
--template fastapi-starter \
--set "productName=Acme Cloud" \
--set "author=Platform Team" \
--no-interactive- Python 3.12+ runtime support.
- uv-first workflows (with pipx / Homebrew / AUR / Docker install paths).
- Interactive wizard for local workflows.
--no-interactivemode for CI, scripts, and platform automation.- GitHub URL and local
file://template inputs. --extendsupport for private addon layering.--set key=valueoverrides for deterministic custom options.
Browse visually at create-awesome-python-app.vercel.app or discover from the terminal:
# List all available templates
uvx create-awesome-python-app --list-templates
# List addons (optionally filtered by template)
uvx create-awesome-python-app --template fastapi-starter --list-addonsFull catalog:
- Templates:create-awesome-python-app.vercel.app/templates
- Extensions:create-awesome-python-app.vercel.app/extensions
- Source data:
cpa-templates/templates.json
Override the catalog URL with CPA_CATALOG_URL (HTTPS or file://) for forks and local testing.
Supported templates generate an AGENTS.md file so coding assistants understand project context before editing:
| Context | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Project purpose | Agents understand what the app is for before changing code. |
| Directory layout | Suggestions align with the real structure. |
| Scripts and validation | Agents know how to lint, test, and verify changes. |
| Team conventions | Output follows naming and workflow expectations. |
Run the CLI without flags and CPA guides you through:
| Step | What you choose |
|---|---|
| Project name | Confirm or set the target directory |
| Category | Backend, CLI, Monorepo, or custom URL |
| Template | Pick from curated starters with descriptions and labels |
| Addons | Multi-select compatible extensions grouped by purpose |
| Custom options | Answer cpa.config.json / registry prompts when present |
| Custom extensions | Layer extra URLs for internal standards |
- Python >= 3.12
- uv recommended (or pipx / Homebrew / AUR / Docker)
gitavailable onPATH(required to clone templates)
Recommended quick start:
uv python install 3.12
uvx create-awesome-python-app@latest my-appUsage: create-awesome-python-app [OPTIONS] [project_directory]
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
--interactive | Force interactive wizard (default outside CI) |
--no-interactive | Disable wizard and use flags only |
-t, --template <slug|url> | Template slug from catalog or remote/local URL |
--addons <slug|url> | Addon slug or URL (repeat the flag for multiple) |
--extend <url> | Extra extension URL layered on top (repeatable) |
--set <key=value> | Set custom template options; quote values with spaces |
--no-install | Generate files without installing dependencies |
-f, --force | Allow scaffolding into a non-empty target directory |
--list-templates | Print all templates |
--list-addons | Print addons, optionally filtered by --template |
--offline | Use the local cache only; do not refresh templates |
--no-cache | Disable the catalog cache; force a refresh each run |
--cache-dir <path> | Override the cache root (default: ~/.cache/cpa) |
--refresh <mode> | When to refresh: always | stale | manual |
--pin <ref> | Pin template to a specific commit SHA, tag, or branch |
--strict-version | Fail if a newer CLI version is available |
--keep-on-failure | Keep partial output if scaffolding fails |
-v, --verbose | Output resolved generation config as JSON |
-i, --info | Print Python, uv, git, and OS diagnostics |
--version | Print CLI version |
--help | Show help |
Usage: create-awesome-python-app cache [OPTIONS] COMMAND [ARGS]...
Commands:
dir Print the cache root directory
list List cached templates and extensions
clean Remove one or all entries
verify Run `git fsck` on one or all entries
outdated List cached entries that are behind their remote tip
update Refresh one or all cached entries from their remote
doctor Diagnose cache health (git, network, permissions)
Inspect and manage the on-disk cache:
# Where is my cache?
uvx create-awesome-python-app cache dir
# /home/<you>/.cache/cpa# What's in it?
uvx create-awesome-python-app cache list
# Verify integrity
uvx create-awesome-python-app cache verify
# Clear everything
uvx create-awesome-python-app cache clean
# Check for outdated entries
uvx create-awesome-python-app cache outdated
# Refresh a specific entry (or all)
uvx create-awesome-python-app cache update
# Diagnose cache health
uvx create-awesome-python-app cache doctorCPA caches both the template catalog (templates.json from
raw.githubusercontent.com) and the template git repos themselves. The
cache lives at ~/.cache/cpa by default; override with --cache-dir <path> or CPA_CACHE_DIR.
| Path | Contents |
|---|---|
~/.cache/cpa/catalog/ | Cached templates.json |
~/.cache/cpa/repos/ | Shallow clones of templates / addons |
stale(default): pull only when the cache is older thanCPA_REFRESH_AFTER_HOURS(default24). No network on a warm cache.always: pull on every run.manual: never pull unless--refreshis passed.
Pin a template to a specific commit SHA, tag, or branch:
uvx create-awesome-python-app my-app \
--template fastapi-starter \
--pin abc123def456abc123def456abc123def456abc1 \
--no-interactiveThe --pin flag is equivalent to appending ?ref=<ref> to the template URL.
Combine with CPA_STRICT_REPRO=1 to enforce full 40-character SHAs.
# Fully offline CI: use the local cache only, no network.
uvx create-awesome-python-app my-app \
--template fastapi-starter \
--offline \
--no-interactive
# Pin the cache to a project-local directory (useful in monorepos and CI).
CPA_CACHE_DIR="$PWD/.cpa-cache" uvx create-awesome-python-app my-app \
--template fastapi-starter \
--no-interactiveNeed to integrate CPA into your own tooling? The core is importable:
importasynciofromcreate_python_app_coreimportcreate_python_appasyncio.run(
create_python_app(
"my-app",
{
"template": (
"https://github.com/Create-Python-App/cpa-templates""?subdir=templates/fastapi-starter"
),
"addons": [],
"install": False,
},
)
)The programmatic API is experimental and subject to change. Prefer the CLI for stable usage.
See also: create-python-app-core README.
CPA downloads templates from remote sources. Prefer catalog slugs or hash-pinned
refs (--pin / ?ref=), audit custom URLs before use, and report vulnerabilities
via GitHub Security Advisories on
Create-Python-App/create-python-app.
Why another scaffolder?
Most scaffolders lock you into one stack. CPA is composable: choose a template, layer focused addons, and plug in your own GitHub/local blueprints — mirroring Create Awesome Node App for the Python ecosystem.
Can I use my own template?
Yes. Pass a GitHub URL or local file:// URL with --template (supports ?subdir= and ?ref=).
Can I use private/internal extensions?
Yes. Use --extend <url> to layer private extensions on top of a template and addon set.
Are addons order-sensitive?
Yes. Addons are applied in sequence. If two addons modify the same file, later addons win.
Does it support monorepos?
Yes. Use uv-workspace-starter to bootstrap a multi-package uv workspace with shared tooling.
Can I use it in CI?
Yes. Pass all required flags and use --no-interactive for deterministic automation. Set CI=true to disable the wizard by default.
Is Python 3.12 required?
Yes. CPA targets Python 3.12+ to keep runtime behavior modern and predictable.
Does CPA work with AI coding assistants?
Yes. Supported templates generate AGENTS.md, helping assistants understand project layout, scripts, and conventions.
Docker says `git executable not found`
Images from 0.2.5 onward ship git. Pull ulisesjeremias/create-awesome-python-app:latest (or 0.2.5+) and retry.
- More framework templates and vertical starters.
- Additional testing and observability packs.
- Diff-based upgrade paths for pinned templates.
- Richer template analytics and usage insights.
Track progress in Issues and Discussions.
Templates, addons, bug fixes, docs, recipes, and ideas are all welcome.
- Main repo:github.com/Create-Python-App/create-python-app
- Template and extension data:github.com/Create-Python-App/cpa-templates
- Contributing guide:CONTRIBUTING.md
- Troubleshooting:docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.md
MIT © Create Python App Contributors
create-awesome-python-app.vercel.app
Built for developers who value speed, composability, craft, and AI-ready workflows.