uv-tool-management
Install and manage global Python CLI tools with uv (pipx alternative). Use when the user mentions uv tool, uvx, installing CLI tools globally, or pipx replacement.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/laurigates/claude-plugins --skill uv-tool-management- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads uv-tool-management automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
UV Tool Management
Quick reference for installing and managing global Python tools with UV (pipx alternative).
When to Use This Skill
| Use this skill when... | Use a focused sibling instead when... |
|---|---|
Installing a global CLI tool (ruff, black, ipython) with uv tool install as a pipx replacement | Running a project script inside its venv — use uv-run |
Running a one-off CLI invocation via uvx tool without installing | Adding the tool as a project dev dependency — use uv-project-management |
| Listing, upgrading, or uninstalling globally installed tools | Pinning the Python version a tool runs on — use uv-python-versions |
When This Skill Applies
- Installing command-line tools globally (like pipx)
- Managing tool installations and updates
- Running tools ephemerally without installation
- Listing and removing installed tools
- Tool version management
Quick Reference
Installing Tools
# Install tool globally
uv tool install ruff
uv tool install black
uv tool install pytest
# Install specific version
uv tool install ruff@0.1.0
uv tool install 'pytest>=7.0'
# Install from Git
uv tool install git+https://github.com/astral-sh/ruff
# Install with extras
uv tool install 'mkdocs[i18n]'
uv tool install 'fastapi[all]'
Running Tools
# Run without installing (ephemeral)
uvx pycowsay "hello world"
uvx ruff check .
uvx black --check .
# uvx is alias for:
uv tool run pycowsay "hello world"
# Run with specific version
uvx ruff@0.1.0 check .
# Run from Git
uvx git+https://github.com/user/tool script.py
Managing Tools
# List installed tools
uv tool list
# Update tool
uv tool install ruff --reinstall
uv tool upgrade ruff
# Remove tool
uv tool uninstall ruff
# Remove all tools
uv tool uninstall --all
Tool Information
# Check tool version
ruff --version
# List tool binaries
uv tool list --verbose
# Show tool location
which ruff
# ~/.local/bin/ruff (Linux)
# ~/Library/Application Support/uv/bin/ruff (macOS)
uvx vs uv tool run
These commands are equivalent:
uvx ruff check .
uv tool run ruff check .
uvx is a convenient shorthand for ephemeral tool execution.
Installation Locations
Tools Directory
# Linux
~/.local/share/uv/tools/
# macOS
~/Library/Application Support/uv/tools/
# Windows
%LOCALAPPDATA%\uv\tools\
Binaries (Executables)
# Linux
~/.local/bin/
# macOS
~/Library/Application Support/uv/bin/
# Windows
%LOCALAPPDATA%\uv\bin\
Add to PATH:
# Add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc
export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
Common Tools
# Code quality
uv tool install ruff
uv tool install black
uv tool install ty
# Documentation
uv tool install mkdocs
uv tool install sphinx
# Testing
uv tool install pytest
uv tool install tox
# Build tools
uv tool install build
uv tool install twine
# Utilities
uv tool install httpie
uv tool install pipx
uv tool install cookiecutter
UV Tool vs Project Dependencies
Use uv tool for:
- Command-line applications
- Global development tools
- Utilities used across projects
Use uv add for:
- Project-specific dependencies
- Libraries imported in code
- Development dependencies in specific projects
# Global tool (any project)
uv tool install ruff
# Project dependency (one project)
uv add --dev ruff
Tool Isolation
Each tool gets its own virtual environment:
# Each tool is isolated
~/.local/share/uv/tools/
├── ruff/ # Isolated environment for ruff
├── black/ # Isolated environment for black
└── pytest/ # Isolated environment for pytest
# No dependency conflicts between tools
Common Workflows
Setup Development Tools
# Install common development tools globally
uv tool install ruff
uv tool install ty
uv tool install pytest
uv tool install ipython
# Now available in any project
ruff check .
ty check src/
pytest
ipython
One-Off Tool Usage
# Run without installing
uvx pycowsay "Temporary tool!"
uvx httpie https://api.github.com
# No cleanup needed
Replace pipx
# Old (pipx)
pipx install black
pipx run pycowsay "hello"
# New (uv)
uv tool install black
uvx pycowsay "hello"
Key Features
- Fast: 10-100x faster than pipx
- Isolated: Each tool in separate environment
- Ephemeral: Run tools without installation
- Version control: Pin tool versions
- Git support: Install from repositories
See Also
uv-project-management- Project-specific dependenciesuv-python-versions- Python versions for toolspython-code-quality- Using ruff, ty, black
References
- Official docs: https://docs.astral.sh/uv/guides/tools/
- Tool directory: Use
uv cache dirto find cache location - Detailed guide: See REFERENCE.md in this skill directory
FAQ
What does the uv-tool-management skill do?
Install and manage global Python CLI tools with uv (pipx alternative). Use when the user mentions uv tool, uvx, installing CLI tools globally, or pipx replacement.
How do I install uv-tool-management?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/laurigates/claude-plugins --skill uv-tool-management in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/uv-tool-management/ (personal) or .claude/skills/uv-tool-management/ (project).
Which AI agents can use uv-tool-management?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is uv-tool-management safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains uv-tool-management?
It is published by laurigates in laurigates/claude-plugins. It has 293 recorded installs.
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