Simplify setup + execution of Boa

[jbfenton]

This pull request modernises the project setup and installation process for Boa Constructor by introducing UV as the package manager.

Using a tool like UV has many benefits (pulled straight from their documentation:

• Provides comprehensive project management, with a universal lockfile.
• ❇️ Runs scripts, with support for inline dependency metadata.
• 🐍 Installs and manages Python versions.
• 🛠️ Runs and installs tools published as Python packages.

Notable changes in this PR:

• Introduced UV.
  • Added scripts for installing it on Linux, Mac, and Windows.
• Added scripts for launching Boa.
• Updated README.md to align with updated setup/run instructions.
• Added an initial .editorconfig file to standardize indentation, line endings, and other formatting rules for multiple file types in the project.

What this translates to in the real world:

• Users won't have to manually install Python or wxPython.
• Setup and launch become a single script execution each.

NOTE: I have not had a chance to run the setup on a Windows machine just yet.
The Windows bootstrap/run scripts may need some slight tweaks once they can be verified on a real machine.

[ianBBB]

Hi Joshua,

First, sorry to take so long to respond to this PR (I am a Github newbie. I had to look up what "PR" meant).

I think you mentioned this is untested on Windows. I'll have a go at that.

What about Linux and iOS? Has it been tested on these?

Also, I would like to add this in as an installation option and leave the basic instructions in there as well. Is there a way I can edit the README.md file to show you what I mean?

Just to put you in the picture, I have never work with another person in Github, you are the first. So I'm still feeling my way on how this all works and any guidance you might offer along the way is appreciated.

regards
Ian BBB

[jbfenton]

Hey mate - No need to apologise, gaps between reviews is often the nature of open source development 😅

I think you mentioned this is untested on Windows. I'll have a go at that.

Yell out if you run into problems. I can dust off an old laptop and work through them with you.

What about Linux and iOS? Has it been tested on these?

The toolchain / setup for mac would be the same as Linux. It hasn't been directly tested, but shouldn't be an issue.
iOS wouldn't be supported in the existing solution, or the solution proposed in this PR. To my knowledge you can't do Python development on iOS.

Also, I would like to add this in as an installation option and leave the basic instructions in there as well. Is there a way I can edit the README.md file to show you what I mean?

Often the convention in PR reviews is to leave a comment with a suggestion / ask, and potentially provide a code snippet inline for what you're looking for. The drafter of the PR would then enrich their PR with the changes requested.

In this case I believe I understand what you're looking for and can get some changes incorporated into this PR.

I reckon there would be some benefit in walking through the nuts and bolts of this PR. If you're open to it, my email is available on my GitHub profile, we could coordinate a time to jump on a call.

[ianBBB]

Hi Joshua, A walk through would be a good idea. What platform are you thinking of; Teams, Zoom, Skype, or something else? As for when, I’m pretty flexible as I am semi-retired. I have some end-of-year events coming up (as no doubt so do you) which we will need to work around. For a point to get things started, I suggest next Tuesday (anytime). Or if you want to put it off until next year, I’m fine with that. Regards Ian BBB From: Joshua Fenton ***@***.***> Sent: Friday, 5 December 2025 11:54 AM To: ianBBB/boa-constructor ***@***.***> Cc: Ian Baker ***@***.***>; Comment ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [ianBBB/boa-constructor] Simplify setup + execution of Boa (PR #47) jbfenton left a comment (ianBBB/boa-constructor#47) <#47 (comment)> Hey mate - No need to apologise, gaps between reviews is often the nature of open source development 😅 I think you mentioned this is untested on Windows. I'll have a go at that. Yell out if you run into problems. I can dust off an old laptop and work through them with you. What about Linux and iOS? Has it been tested on these? The toolchain / setup for mac would be the same as Linux. It hasn't been directly tested, but shouldn't be an issue. iOS wouldn't be supported in the existing solution, or the solution proposed in this PR. To my knowledge you can't do Python development on iOS. Also, I would like to add this in as an installation option and leave the basic instructions in there as well. Is there a way I can edit the README.md file to show you what I mean? Often the convention in PR reviews is to leave a comment with a suggestion / ask, and potentially provide a code snippet inline for what you're looking for. The drafter of the PR would then enrich their PR with the changes requested. In this case I believe I understand what you're looking for and can get some changes incorporated into this PR. I reckon there would be some benefit in walking through the nuts and bolts of this PR. If you're open to it, my email is available on my GitHub profile, we could coordinate a time to jump on a call. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#47 (comment)> , or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AALW6TFDOOYMRXJ2QVYIHHT4ADJSXAVCNFSM6AAAAACMGCRISWVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZTMMJUHA4TANJZGY> . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[rjsdotorg]

I made a test Package of my fork as per the docs with build scripts etc.
I think a PyPi release is the best way to disseminate Boa, so users do: pip install boa-constructor