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Brownie

Brownie is an open-source Python-based development and testing framework for smart contracts targeting the Ethereum Virtual Machine.

Explore the practical guide ↓

Independent OpenViST project profile, based on linked sources.

Brownie — OpenViST project profile in Developer Tools.
OpenViST project illustration. See the linked sources for product details.
Understand the project

Practical overview

When it fits

Use Brownie when an Ethereum development workflow needs Python-based contract development and testing, including integration with a local Hardhat or Ganache client.

Who it is for

  • Python-oriented Ethereum developers.
  • Teams working with Solidity or Vyper smart contracts.
  • Developers building self-hosted EVM testing workflows.

Documented uses

  • Develop EVM smart contracts in a Python-based workflow.
  • Test Solidity and Vyper contracts with pytest.
  • Evaluate contract behavior with trace-based coverage, property-based testing and stateful testing.
  • Debug contracts using Python-style tracebacks, custom error strings and the built-in console.
Before you choose

Requirements & limits

The repository is publicly available under the MIT license. The documented installation paths use pipx, pip, setuptools, or library installation inside an existing project.

  • Python 3.10 or greater and python3-dev are listed as dependencies.
  • The framework documents Solidity support from version 0.4.22 and Vyper support from version 0.1.0-beta.16.
  • Contract testing includes pytest integration and trace-based coverage evaluation.
  • The repository states that Brownie is no longer actively maintained.
  • The documented development environment uses Hardhat or Ganache; the repository generally recommends Hardhat because Ganache has been sunsetted.

Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.

Source-based practical guide

Install Brownie and initialize a project

Set up Brownie from Python tooling and create a new Brownie project.

Before you start

  • Python 3.10 or greater and python3-dev.
  • pipx or pip.
  • A new folder for the Brownie project.

Steps

  1. Install pipx with the command below.

    Documented command
    python3 -m pip install --user pipx

  2. Run the command below.

    Documented command
    python3 -m pipx ensurepath

  3. Install Brownie with pipx install eth-brownie, or use the command below.

    Documented command
    pip install eth-brownie

  4. Create or enter a project folder and run brownie init.

  5. Run brownie --help for basic usage information.

Expected outcome

Brownie is installed and a new project directory has been initialized.

Guide limitations

  • The repository states that Brownie is no longer actively maintained and future releases may be sporadic or may never arrive.
  • The documented dependency list also includes Hardhat or Ganache for the development environment; this guide does not configure either client.
Documentation 1 ↗
Evidence and transparency

Sources & review

Official repository ↗
Source record details
Source availability
Active
Sources checked
1 October 2026
Original website title
eth-brownie/brownie · Official homepage title · retained in its source language
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