YXI Packaging and Installation

A modified process for packaging and installing Python tools is available to accommodate Python virtual environments and third-party library dependencies.

If your Python tool does not use a virtual environment or third-party libraries, complete the process outlined in Package a Tool.

If your tool uses a virtual environment or third-party libraries, complete the following steps to package your tool and its dependencies.

1. Verify that you have setup a Python Virtual Environment and Dependencies.
2. Create a list of the third-party dependencies that are installed with the tool.
• Run a pip freeze command from the Python virtual environment's \Scripts path.

C:\ProgramData\Alteryx\Tools\ExamplePythonSDKTool\Scripts>pip 
freeze > ..\requirements.txt

• Verify that the resulting text file only contains libraries that are used in the tool.
3. Create a temporary working folder.

C:\temp\ExamplePythonSDKTool

4. Copy all files that will be included in the YXI file, including the requirements file, into the temporary folder.

Copy exclusions

Do not copy any virtual environment files or folders, including:

• pyvenv.cfg
• pip-selfcheck.json
• \include
• \Lib
• \Scripts
5. Copy the ToolNameConfig.xml file from the tool sub folder to the root of the temporary tool directory.
6. Rename ToolNameConfig.xml to Config.xml, and open the file.
7. Verify that the file is configured correctly and that all quotes are removed from the elements.

<Properties>
	<MetaInfo>
		<Icon></Icon>
		<ToolVersion></ToolVersion>
		<Author></Author>
		<Name></Name>
		<CategoryName></CategoryName>
		<Description></Description>
		<SearchTags></SearchTags>
	</MetaInfo>
</Properties>

8. Compress the contents of the temporary working folder into a zip file.
9. Rename the .zip file to a .yxi file.
10. Verify the conversion by double-clicking on the yxi file. Designer should show a tool installer window for your tool.

Build your own tool checklist