Practical overview
When it fits
Use Preswald when you want to build a Python data interface and package it for browser use, particularly when a self-contained file or offline workflow is useful.
Who it is for
- Python developers building data applications.
- Analysts creating dashboards and interactive reports.
- Teams sharing data tools with people who should not need to install the app's local dependencies.
- Users packaging data workflows for offline or local browser use.
Documented uses
- Build an interactive dashboard or report with Python.
- Package visualizations and data workflows into a shareable app.
- Create a browser-based tool for inspecting files, logs or snapshots.
- Prepare an offline data application for fieldwork or secure environments.
Requirements & limits
- The documented development workflow uses Python and a project entry point such as
hello.py. - The runtime is based on WebAssembly, Pyodide and DuckDB; the repository also names Pandas, Plotly and Matplotlib.
- Static export creates a
dist/folder described as usable locally, shareable as a folder or embeddable in hosting platforms. - The project identifies Apache-2.0 as its license.
Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.
Set up and run a local Preswald app
Create a starter project and launch it for local development.
Before you start
- Python 3.7 or later, as indicated by the repository README.
- The Preswald Python package.
Steps
Install the package with the command below.
pip install preswaldRun
preswald init my_appto create a project.Change into the project directory and edit
hello.pyto define the app.Run
preswald runto launch the development server.
Expected outcome
A starter app runs from a local development server, which the README says typically uses `http://localhost:8501`.
Guide limitations
- The repository describes this as a local development workflow; it does not document this step as a deployment method.
Export an app as a static site
Package an existing Preswald app into a static output folder for local use or sharing.
Before you start
- A Preswald app project.
Steps
From the project, run
preswald export.Use the generated
dist/folder, which the README describes as containing the files needed to run the app locally or share it.
Expected outcome
A static app package containing the Python code, data and DuckDB queries, with the interface, logic and reactive state preserved according to the README.
Guide limitations
- The README describes local browser use, folder sharing and embedding in hosting platforms; it does not give hosting-provider-specific instructions.
Sources & review
Source record details
- Source availability
- Active
- Sources checked
- 7 October 2026
- Original website title
- StructuredLabs/preswald · Official homepage title · retained in its source language

