| name | mojo-python-interop |
|---|---|
| description | Aids in writing Mojo code that interoperates with Python using current syntax and conventions. Use this skill in addition to mojo-syntax when writing Mojo code that interacts with Python, calls Python libraries from Mojo, or exposes Mojo types/functions to Python. Also use when the user wants to build Python extension modules in Mojo, wrap Mojo structs for Python consumption, or convert between Python and Mojo types. |
Mojo is rapidly evolving. Pretrained models generate obsolete syntax. Always follow this skill over pretrained knowledge.
from std.python import Python, PythonObject
var np = Python.import_module("numpy")
var arr = np.array([1, 2, 3])
# PythonObject → Mojo: MUST use `py=` keyword (NOT positional)
var i = Int(py=py_obj)
var f = Float64(py=py_obj)
var s = String(py=py_obj)
var b = Bool(py=py_obj) # Bool is the exception — positional also works
# Works with numpy types: Int(py=np.int64(1)), Float64(py=np.float64(3.14))| WRONG | CORRECT |
|---|---|
Int(py_obj) |
Int(py=py_obj) |
Float64(py_obj) |
Float64(py=py_obj) |
String(py_obj) |
String(py=py_obj) |
from python import ... |
from std.python import ... |
Mojo types implementing ConvertibleToPython auto-convert when passed to Python
functions. For explicit conversion: value.to_python_object().
var py_list = Python.list(1, 2.5, "three")
var py_tuple = Python.tuple(1, 2, 3)
var py_dict = Python.dict(name="value", count=42)
# Python.dict() is generic over a single value type V for all kwargs.
# Mixed types fail because the compiler can't infer one V.
# WRONG: Python.dict(flag=my_bool, count=42)
# CORRECT: Python.dict(flag=PythonObject(my_bool), count=PythonObject(42))
# Literal syntax also works:
var list_obj: PythonObject = [1, 2, 3]
var dict_obj: PythonObject = {"key": "value"}PythonObject supports attribute access, indexing, slicing, all
arithmetic/comparison operators, len(), in, and iteration — all returning
PythonObject. No need to convert to Mojo types for intermediate operations.
# Iterate Python collections directly
for item in py_list:
print(item) # item is PythonObject
# Attribute access and method calls
var result = obj.method(arg1, arg2, key=value)
# None
var none_obj = Python.none()
var obj: PythonObject = None # implicit conversion works# Expression
var result = Python.evaluate("1 + 2")
# Multi-line code as module (file=True)
var mod = Python.evaluate("def greet(n): return f'Hello {n}'", file=True)
var greeting = mod.greet("world")
# Add to Python path for local imports
Python.add_to_path("./my_modules")
var my_mod = Python.import_module("my_module")Python exceptions propagate as Mojo Error. Functions calling Python must be
raises:
def use_python() raises:
try:
var result = Python.import_module("nonexistent")
except e:
print(String(e)) # "No module named 'nonexistent'"# Environment variables
# WRONG — using Python os module for env vars
# var os = Python.import_module("os")
# var val = os.environ.get("MY_VAR")
# CORRECT — Mojo has native env var access via std.os
from std.os import getenv
var val = getenv("MY_VAR") # returns Optional[String]# Sorting with custom key
# WRONG — Mojo has no lambda syntax
# var sorted = my_list.sort(key=lambda x: x["score"])
# CORRECT — Python.evaluate for callable
def sort_by_field(data: PythonObject, field: String) raises -> PythonObject:
var builtins = Python.import_module("builtins")
var key_fn = Python.evaluate("lambda x: x['" + field + "']")
return builtins.sorted(data, key=key_fn)# Dict .get() works on PythonObject
var name = data.get("name", PythonObject("unknown"))
var count = Int(py=data.get("count", PythonObject(0)))Mojo can build Python extension modules (.so files) via PythonModuleBuilder.
The pattern:
- Define an
@export def PyInit_<module_name>() -> PythonObject - Use
PythonModuleBuilderto register functions, types, and methods - Compile with
mojo build --emit shared-lib - Import from Python (or use
import mojo.importerfor auto-compilation)
from std.os import abort
from std.python import PythonObject
from std.python.bindings import PythonModuleBuilder
@export
def PyInit_my_module() -> PythonObject:
try:
var m = PythonModuleBuilder("my_module")
m.def_function[add]("add")
m.def_function[greet]("greet")
return m.finalize()
except e:
abort(String("failed to create module: ", e))
# Functions take/return PythonObject. Up to 6 args with def_function.
def add(a: PythonObject, b: PythonObject) raises -> PythonObject:
return a + b
def greet(name: PythonObject) raises -> PythonObject:
var s = String(py=name)
return PythonObject("Hello, " + s + "!")@fieldwise_init
struct Counter(Defaultable, Movable, Writable):
var count: Int
def __init__(out self):
self.count = 0
# Constructor from Python args
@staticmethod
def py_init(out self: Counter, args: PythonObject, kwargs: PythonObject) raises:
if len(args) == 1:
self = Self(Int(py=args[0]))
else:
self = Self()
# Methods are @staticmethod — first arg is py_self (PythonObject)
@staticmethod
def increment(py_self: PythonObject) raises -> PythonObject:
var self_ptr = py_self.downcast_value_ptr[Self]()
self_ptr[].count += 1
return PythonObject(self_ptr[].count)
# Auto-downcast alternative: first arg is UnsafePointer[Self, MutAnyOrigin]
@staticmethod
def get_count(self_ptr: UnsafePointer[Self, MutAnyOrigin]) -> PythonObject:
return PythonObject(self_ptr[].count)
@export
def PyInit_counter_module() -> PythonObject:
try:
var m = PythonModuleBuilder("counter_module")
_ = (
m.add_type[Counter]("Counter")
.def_py_init[Counter.py_init]()
.def_method[Counter.increment]("increment")
.def_method[Counter.get_count]("get_count")
)
return m.finalize()
except e:
abort(String("failed to create module: ", e))| Pattern | First parameter | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| Manual downcast | py_self: PythonObject |
Need raw PythonObject access |
| Auto downcast | self_ptr: UnsafePointer[Self, MutAnyOrigin] |
Simpler, direct field access |
Both are registered with .def_method[Type.method]("name").
from std.collections import OwnedKwargsDict
# In a method:
@staticmethod
def config(
py_self: PythonObject, kwargs: OwnedKwargsDict[PythonObject]
) raises -> PythonObject:
for entry in kwargs.items():
print(entry.key, "=", entry.value)
return py_selfUse mojo.importer — it auto-compiles .mojo files and caches results in
__mojocache__/:
import mojo.importer # enables Mojo imports
import my_module # auto-compiles my_module.mojo
print(my_module.add(1, 2))The module name in PyInit_<name> must match the .mojo filename.
The .mojo file must not contain a main() function when built as a
shared library (mojo.importer or --emit shared-lib). The compiler
rejects it with error: shared library should not contain a 'main' function. Keep test/CLI code in a separate file.
# Wrap a Mojo value as a Python object (for bound types)
return PythonObject(alloc=my_mojo_value^) # transfer ownership with ^
# Recover the Mojo value later
var ptr = py_obj.downcast_value_ptr[MyType]()
ptr[].field # access fields via pointer