Description

zooba

opened on Feb 20, 2026

Issue body actions

Currently, launching Python without the _pyrepl module present causes it to abort. It would be better if it simply went into regular repl mode, rather than requiring the user to set an env var, as this would allow distributors to simply omit the module rather than having to patch and rebuild CPython.

cpython/Modules/main.c

Lines 281 to 286 in 175ab31

	PyObject *pyrepl = PyImport_ImportModule("_pyrepl.main");
	if (pyrepl == NULL) {
	fprintf(stderr, "Could not import _pyrepl.main\n");
	res = pymain_exit_err_print();
	goto done;
	}

I would prefer messages about ModuleNotFoundError here to only be shown in verbose mode, though other errors could still cause a full failure (if that's what the maintainers think is best... I disagree, but it's not important to me like ModuleNotFoundError would be).

Linked PRs

• gh-145035: Allows removing the _pyrepl module to completely disable the modern REPL #145159

Activity

1. zooba

   added

   topic-replRelated to the interactive shellRelated to the interactive shell

   3.15bugs and security fixesbugs and security fixes

   on Feb 20, 2026
2. StanFromIreland

   added

   extension-modulesC modules in the Modules dirC modules in the Modules dir

   type-featureA feature request or enhancementA feature request or enhancement

   on Feb 20, 2026
3. zooba

   self-assigned this

   on Feb 23, 2026
4. zooba commented on Feb 23, 2026

   

   zooba

   on Feb 23, 2026

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   Given how pydoc was refactored, and that I don't want to un-refactor it, it appears that omitting _pyrepl will also break pydoc. I expect that to not be an issue for anyone who's interested in restricting REPL usage (e.g. in production code), so will just leave it documented. Turns out to not be an issue, though pydoc does regress to its most basic form without _pyrepl (which I still think is okay).
5. zooba

   added a commit that references this issue on Feb 23, 2026

   pythongh-145035: Allows removing the _pyrepl module to completely dis…

   0f565c2
6. FFY00

   added a commit that references this issue on Mar 9, 2026

   pythongh-145035: Allows removing the _pyrepl module to completely dis…

   1aae478
7. ambv

   added a commit that references this issue on Mar 10, 2026

   gh-145035: Allows removing the _pyrepl module to completely disable t…

   ae0d287
8. StanFromIreland commented on Mar 15, 2026

   

   StanFromIreland

   on Mar 15, 2026

   Member

   More actions

   Triage: Can this be closed now?

   Reacted by Steve Dower
9. StanFromIreland

   added

   pendingThe issue will be closed if no feedback is providedThe issue will be closed if no feedback is provided

   on Mar 15, 2026
10. zooba

    closed this as completedon Mar 16, 2026
11. ljfp

    added a commit that references this issue on Apr 25, 2026

    pythongh-145035: Allows removing the _pyrepl module to completely dis…

    4de82bc

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