KNIME Documentation

Manual Python Executable / Start Script ​

If you do not use Conda or Pixi, you can point KNIME Analytics Platform to any Python executable or shell/batch start script.

Via the Preferences page (AP-wide) ​

  1. Go to File → Preferences → KNIME → Python.
  2. Choose Manual.
  3. Point KNIME to either:
    • A Python executable directly.
    • A start script that activates an environment and launches Python.

Start script requirements ​

The script must:

  • Start Python with the arguments passed to the script (escape spaces correctly).
  • Forward standard output and standard error from the Python process.
  • Not output anything else.

Linux / macOS example ​

bash
#!/bin/bash
export PATH="<PATH_TO_ANACONDA>/bin:$PATH"
conda activate <ENVIRONMENT_NAME>
python "$@" 1>&1 2>&2

Make the script executable: chmod gou+x py3.sh

Windows example ​

batch
@REM Adapt the folder in the PATH to your system
@SET PATH=<PATH_TO_ANACONDA>\Scripts;%PATH%
@CALL activate <ENVIRONMENT_NAME> || ECHO Activating python environment failed
@python %*

INFO

These examples use Conda commands. Replace the Conda-specific parts if you use a different environment manager (e.g. venv, pyenv).

Via flow variable (per-node) ​

You can also configure individual Python nodes to use a specific executable or start script by setting the flow variable python3_command under the Flow Variables tab in the node's configuration dialog. The variable accepts the same path to a Python start script as described above.

Next steps ​