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Install Aksara

Use Python 3.11–3.14 and PostgreSQL. Release CI tests PostgreSQL 16; the local reference application has also been checked on PostgreSQL 18.4. See runtime compatibility for the tested Python and FastAPI/Starlette pairs. These are test boundaries, not certification of every operating system or dependency combination.

Install into a virtual environment

From a working directory on macOS or Linux:

python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install "aksara-framework==0.7.2"
aksara --version
python -m pip show aksara-framework

The distribution is named aksara-framework; Python code imports aksara. The CLI and Python package expose the same version. Pin the version you intend to deploy and review the upgrade guide before changing an existing application.

The package installs its declared runtime dependencies, including asyncpg, FastAPI, Pydantic and Uvicorn. It does not install or start a PostgreSQL server. The database setup guide covers that separate prerequisite. No model provider is needed to build a REST application.

Development tools

For the optional framework development/test tools:

python -m pip install "aksara-framework[dev]==0.7.2"

Quote extras such as [dev] so shells do not treat the brackets as a filename pattern. The extra includes pytest, pytest-asyncio, Hypothesis, Black, Ruff, mypy and pre-commit. The tutorial gives the smaller application test command set when you reach that step.

Work on the framework source

Contributors can install a checkout instead of the published package:

git clone https://github.com/nagarjuna-tella/Aksara.git aksara-framework-source
cd aksara-framework-source
python -m pip install -e ".[dev]"

This installs the checked-out framework and its development dependencies. It is distinct from installing a generated application. The generated basic project currently has an editable-packaging limitation; follow its README and template setup rather than assuming the same editable command works there. Source checkout installation does not select a released version; inspect the branch and version you are developing.

Verify the environment

Use the same interpreter for installation, tests and the server. If imports fail:

python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"
python -m pip show aksara-framework
python -c "import aksara; print(aksara.__version__)"

A successful import proves the package is installed, not that PostgreSQL, migrations or application authentication are configured. After completing the project setup, Doctor checks the configured application:

aksara doctor launch-check

Build the first application

Continue with First project: a ticket desk. It supplies the model, migration, authentication adapter, server and tests in one sequence. Use project layout to locate files and the authoritative settings reference for environment precedence. Avoid maintaining separate, conflicting configuration recipes.