# 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.

- Skill: `laurigates/uv-tool-management` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add laurigates/uv-tool-management`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/laurigates/uv-tool-management/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: laurigates (https://skillmd.com/u/laurigates)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/laurigates/uv-tool-management

---


# 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

```bash
# 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

```bash
# 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

```bash
# 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

```bash
# 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:

```bash
uvx ruff check .
uv tool run ruff check .
```

`uvx` is a convenient shorthand for ephemeral tool execution.

## Installation Locations

### Tools Directory

```bash
# Linux
~/.local/share/uv/tools/

# macOS
~/Library/Application Support/uv/tools/

# Windows
%LOCALAPPDATA%\uv\tools\
```

### Binaries (Executables)

```bash
# Linux
~/.local/bin/

# macOS
~/Library/Application Support/uv/bin/

# Windows
%LOCALAPPDATA%\uv\bin\
```

**Add to PATH:**
```bash
# Add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc
export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
```

## Common Tools

```bash
# 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

```bash
# 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:

```bash
# 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

```bash
# 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

```bash
# Run without installing
uvx pycowsay "Temporary tool!"
uvx httpie https://api.github.com

# No cleanup needed
```

### Replace pipx

```bash
# 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 dependencies
- `uv-python-versions` - Python versions for tools
- `python-code-quality` - Using ruff, ty, black

## References

- Official docs: https://docs.astral.sh/uv/guides/tools/
- Tool directory: Use `uv cache dir` to find cache location
- Detailed guide: See REFERENCE.md in this skill directory