openneuro-py 2026.4.1

A Python client for OpenNeuro.

openneuro-py

A Python client for accessing OpenNeuro datasets.

Run without installation (uvx)

You can run openneuro-py directly without installing it using uvx:

# Download a dataset without installing the package
uvx openneuro-py@latest download --dataset=ds000246

# Get help
uvx openneuro-py@latest --help

Installation into a Python project

Choose one of the following methods:

# via uv (recommended):
uv add openneuro-py

# via conda:
conda install -c conda-forge openneuro-py

# via pip:
pip install openneuro-py

Optional: Jupyter and IPython support

For enhanced support in Jupyter Lab, Jupyter Notebook, IPython interactive sessions, and VS Code's interactive Jupyter interface, install ipywidgets:

# via uv:
uv add ipywidgets

# via conda:
conda install -c conda-forge ipywidgets

# via pip:
pip install ipywidgets

Basic usage – command line interface

Note: If you're using uvx instead of installing the package, prefix all commands below with uvx and invoke openneuro-py@latest to use the latest released version. For example, openneuro-py --help becomes uvx openneuro-py@latest --help.

Getting help

openneuro-py --help
openneuro-py download --help
openneuro-py login --help

Download an entire dataset

openneuro-py download --dataset=ds000246

Specify a target directory

To store the downloaded files in a specific directory, use the --target-dir switch. The directory will be created if it doesn't exist already.

openneuro-py download --dataset=ds000246 \
                      --target-dir=data/bids

Continue an interrupted download

Interrupted downloads will resume where they left off when you run the command again.

Advanced usage – command line interface

Exclude a directory from the download

openneuro-py download --dataset=ds000246 \
                      --exclude=sub-emptyroom

Download only a single file

openneuro-py download --dataset=ds000246 \
                      --include=sub-0001/meg/sub-0001_coordsystem.json

Note that a few essential BIDS files are always downloaded in addition.

Download or exclude multiple files

--include and --exclude can be passed multiple times:

openneuro-py download --dataset=ds000246 \
                      --include=sub-0001/meg/sub-0001_coordsystem.json \
                      --include=sub-0001/meg/sub-0001_acq-LPA_photo.jpg

Use an API token to log in

To download private datasets, you will need an API key that grants you access permissions. Go to OpenNeuro.org, My Account → Obtain an API Key. Copy the key, and run:

openneuro-py login

Paste the API key and press return.

Basic usage – Python interface

import openneuro as on
on.download(dataset='ds000246', target_dir='data/bids')

Development

This project uses uv for dependency management and building.

Pre-commit hooks are run through lefthook.

Setup development environment

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/hoechenberger/openneuro-py.git
cd openneuro-py

# Install dependencies and create virtual environment
uv sync --locked

# Optional: Install pre-commit hooks
uv run lefthook install

# Run tests
uv run pytest

# Run the CLI during development
uv run openneuro-py --help

Building

# Build the package
uv build