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Add Packages to a Pixi or Conda Environment

This guide explains how to add Python packages to an existing environment, whether it is managed by Pixi (via the Python Environment Provider node) or by Conda.

Adding packages to a Pixi environment

The Python Environment Provider node allows you to manage dependencies directly within your workflow. You can specify which libraries your Python scripts will use using three different input modes.

  1. Double-click the Python Environment Provider node to open the configuration dialog.
  2. Select your preferred input mode to add packages:

Packages mode

This is the simplest way to add individual packages.

  1. In the Packages tab, click Add package.
  2. Type the name of the package (e.g., xgboost).
  3. (Optional) Specify a Min version and/or Max version to ensure compatibility.
  4. (Optional) Choose the Source for the package (e.g., Conda).

TOML editor

For more advanced users, you can specify channels and dependencies in TOML format:

toml
[workspace]
channels = ["knime", "conda-forge"]
platforms = ["win-64", "linux-64", "osx-64", "osx-arm64"]

[dependencies]
python = "3.14.*"
knime-python-base = "5.9.*"
plotly = ">=5.10"

YAML editor

Use a Conda-style YAML specification if you are migrating from an existing environment:

yaml
name: myenv
channels:
  - knime
  - conda-forge
dependencies:
  - python=3.14.*
  - knime-python-base=5.9.*
  - plotly>=5.10
  1. Click the Resolve Dependencies button. Pixi will check for compatibility and prepare the environment. If successful, you will see an Environment validated message with the status "Environment resolved successfully. Lock file generated."

  2. Click OK and re-execute the node. The environment will be updated (or recreated) with the new packages.

Adding packages to a Conda environment

If you manage your environment via Conda on the command line, install additional packages into an existing environment with:

bash
conda install --name my_python_env -c conda-forge <package>

For example:

bash
conda install --name my_python_env -c conda-forge xgboost=2.0

Further information on managing Conda packages can be found in the Conda documentation.

WARNING

Do not install the package knime using pip into the environment that will be used inside KNIME. This causes a name clash and makes importing knime.scripting.io fail. If you accidentally installed it, run pip uninstall knime in your Python environment.

Verifying the installed packages

After modifying the environment you can verify the installation:

  • Conda: conda list --name my_python_env
  • Inside a Python Script node: add import <package>; print(<package>.__version__) to your script, click Run all, and check the console output.

Next steps