cvxlab 1.1.0

CVXlab is an open-source Python laboratory for modeling and solving convex optimization problems. It extends cvxpy with user-friendly interfaces, integrated data management and support for multiple, interconnected optimization models.

Table of Contents

• Installation
• Quick Overview
• Guided Interface
• Documentation
• Changelog
• Contributing
• Community & Support
• License
• Citing

Installation

From PyPI

pip install cvxlab

From source (for development):

git clone https://github.com/cvxlab/cvxlab.git
cd cvxlab
pip install -e .[dev]

See the Installation Guide for detailed instructions.

Quick Overview

CVXlab allows you to define optimization problems using:

• General-purpose model generator: Model problems as you would mathematically, without restrictive solver forms.
• Almost no-code required: Build models using Excel or YAML—no coding required.
• Centralized data management: Centralized data input/output via SQLite database.
• Multi-Model Support: Generate and solve multiple parallel, sequential, or integrated optimization problems.
• Powerful engine embedded: Built on cvxpy package, leveraging its extensive solver support.

Typical workflow:

The figure below provides a synthetic and simplified overview of the CVXlab modeling process.

In generating and handling a CVXlab model, the user must follow the five fundamental activities summarized below:

• The user defines the model settings and the related structure: model scope, structure of variables, and list of mathematical expressions, including equalities, inequalities and (eventually) objective function. This activity requires almost no coding, as model definition can be performed via Excel files or YAML configuration files.
• The user proceeds by generating a CVXlab Model object, consisting in a Python class instance embedding all the model settings and the methods useful to manage the model. At the same time, other items are generated, including the SQLite database file (to store all model data), and the Excel files serving as blank templates for collecting exogenous data from the user.
• The user feeds input data to SQLite database through blank Excel template files. Specifically, user defines the data input required to characterize exogenous model variables.
• The numerical problem is generated, exogenous data fetched from the database, and the problem is solved through CVXPY engine.
• If problem is successfuly solved, results are finally exported to the database. Due to the structure of the relational database, it can be easily linked and inspected via Excel or SQL queries, or imported into Business Intelligence tools (such as PowerBI or Tableau) for more elaborated data visualization and analysis.

Guided Interface

CVXlab provides an interactive guided interface that walks you through the full modeling workflow, from directory setup to model solution via a terminal menu. Launch it with the cvxlab.gui() function:

import cvxlab

frontend_config = {
    'model_dir_name': 'my_model',
    'main_dir_path': '/path/to/models',
    'action_settings': {
        'run_model': {
            'solution_mode': 'parallel',
            'solver': 'CLARABEL',
        },
    },
}

cvxlab.gui(**frontend_config)

Model settings are supplied at the top level, while API-specific values belong under action_settings. All values are optional: after an action is selected, the interface asks only for the settings that were not preconfigured. The use_existing_data model option is selected through Model session: choose Create new Model instance for False or Open existing Model environment for True.

Documentation

Full documentation is available at cvxlab.readthedocs.io. You can also browse the source documentation in the docs/source directory.

Changelog

See CHANGELOG.md for a detailed history of changes.

Contributing

We welcome contributions from the community! Please see CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.

Community & Support

Submit issues and ideas for improvements in GitHub GitHub Issues

License

Licensed under the Apache License 2.0. See LICENSE for details.

Citing

If you use CVXlab in academic work, please cite the software as follows.

APA

Rocco, M. V. (2026). CVXlab (Version 1.1.0) [Software]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20644006

BibTeX

@software{rocco_cvxlab_2026,
  author    = {Rocco, Matteo V.},
  title     = {{CVXlab}},
  version   = {1.1.0},
  year      = {2026},
  publisher = {Zenodo},
  doi       = {10.5281/zenodo.20644006},
  url       = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20644006}
}

For industry or non-academic use, we'd love to hear your feedback: reach out via email at matteovincenzo.rocco@polimi.it.