ArcFlow

Python SDK installation

Install the open-source ArcFlow Python SDK from PyPI. The distribution name is arcflow-sdk; you import arcflow in application code.

Install from PyPI

1. Create a virtual environment (recommended)

macOS and Linux:

bash
python3 -m venv.venv
source.venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install --upgrade pip

Windows (PowerShell):

text
python -m venv.venv
.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
python -m pip install --upgrade pip

2. Install the package

bash
pip install arcflow-sdk

Pin a release:

bash
pip install "arcflow-sdk==0.3.3"

3. Verify

bash
python -c "from arcflow import Agent, Workflow; print('import ok')"

Requirements

RequirementNotes
Python3.9 through 3.12 (match a published wheel tag on PyPI files)
pipCurrent pip recommended
RustNot required for pip install (prebuilt wheels include the native extension)
PlatformsLinux, macOS, and Windows wheels are published from CI

Optional extras

LangChain adapter:

bash
pip install "arcflow-sdk[langchain]"
python
from arcflow.langchain import from_langchain_tool, langgraph_to_arcflow

If the extra is not installed, import arcflow.langchain fails with a missing dependency error.

Provider API keys

Set keys in the environment before calling run(..., provider=...):

ProviderEnvironment variable
OpenAIOPENAI_API_KEY
AnthropicANTHROPIC_API_KEY
GeminiGEMINI_API_KEY

Credentials are never passed through workflow JSON. The runtime reads them at execution time.

Local memory stack (optional)

For persistent or vector memory during development:

bash
docker compose -f docker/docker-compose.dev.yml up -d
export ARCFLOW_POSTGRESQL_URL=postgresql://arcflow:arcflow@localhost:5432/arcflow
export ARCFLOW_QDRANT_URL=http://localhost:6333

Session and shared memory types work without Docker.

Troubleshooting

SymptomLikely causeFix
No matching distribution / wrong PythonNo wheel for your Python version or OSCheck PyPI files; use Python 3.9–3.12 on a supported platform
ImportError: arcflow._arcflow_binding after pip installBroken or partial installpip install --force-reinstall arcflow-sdk in a fresh venv
ImportError: arcflowPackage not installed in active venvActivate venv; run pip install arcflow-sdk
LangChain import failsExtra not installedpip install "arcflow-sdk[langchain]"
InfrastructureUnavailableError on vector runQdrant URL unset or downStart Docker stack; export ARCFLOW_QDRANT_URL
InfrastructureUnavailableError on recoveryPostgres URL unsetExport ARCFLOW_POSTGRESQL_URL; run migrations

To build the SDK from the monorepo (contributors), see the ArcFlow repository.

Related pages

PageContent
OverviewArchitecture and capabilities
the ArcFlow repositoryBuild from source in the ArcFlow repository
QuickstartFirst workflow
Install and build (all SDKs)Python and TypeScript

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