ren-ui-python

Write native RenkuOS/HaikuOS desktop apps in plain Python and package them as .hpkg.

The windows, buttons and dialogs are the system's own controls, driven through a small C++ bridge to libbe. There is no web view and no extra syntax to learn beyond Python.

from ren_ui import Application, Event, Window, Column, Row, Label, TextInput, Button

with Application("application/x-vnd.example-hello") as app:
    message = Label("Welcome!")
    name = TextInput(label="Name:")
    greet_button = Button("Say hello")

    @greet_button.onclick
    def greet(event: Event):
        message.text = f"Hello, {name.text or 'Haiku'}!"

    Window(app, "Hello", Column(message, name, Row(greet_button, padding=0))).show()
    app.run()

Documentation

https://ren-ui-python.rainygirl.com/ - reference and tutorials in English, 한국어, 日本語, Italiano and Français.

Requirements

• Running apps and building packages: RenkuOS or Haiku (x86_64, 32-bit x86 hybrid, arm64), Python 3.11 or newer with a shared libpython, and a C++17 compiler (ren doctor checks the tools).
• Other systems (macOS, Linux, Windows): the package installs and you can create, check and stage projects, but windows cannot be shown.

Install

pip install ren-ui-python

Command line

ren init my_app      # create a project
ren check my_app     # validate the manifest and sources (any OS)
ren doctor           # check the build tools
ren run my_app       # compile the bridge and run the app
ren build my_app     # produce an installable .hpkg

A built package depends on the system's Python library (for example lib:libpython3.12), so pkgman install pulls in Python automatically.

What is included

• Widgets: Label, Button, TextInput, TextArea, CheckBox, Slider, Image, laid out with Column and Row
• ren_ui.system: alerts and confirmations, native open/save file panels, clipboard, opening URLs, the settings directory
• The ren tool: project scaffold, validation, HPKG packaging with app signature, icon and Deskbar entry

License

MIT