---
name: windows-runtime
description: Use `py` on Windows (not python3/python); use jq for JSON extraction; use Python scripts over heredocs with apostrophes
applies-to: all
---

# Python on Windows

## Interpreter command

On Windows (DESKTOP-0O8A1RL, GURU-BEAST-ROG), use `py` to invoke Python:

```bash
# Correct
py script.py
py -c "import hashlib; print(hashlib.sha384(b'test').hexdigest())"
py -m bot.main

# Wrong — not in PATH on this machine
python3 script.py
python script.py
```

`python3` and `python` are not in Git Bash's PATH on the Windows machines in this MSP. The Windows Launcher (`py.exe`) is the correct entry point and selects the installed Python version automatically. Store aliases are also disabled in this environment.

## JSON extraction — use jq, not Python

For JSON extraction in shell scripts, use `jq` rather than a Python one-liner. `jq` is installed at:
```
C:/Users/guru/AppData/Local/Microsoft/WinGet/Links/jq
```

```bash
# Correct — jq for JSON extraction
COMMAND=$(echo "$INPUT" | jq -r '.tool_input.command')

# Acceptable for complex extraction when jq is insufficient
py -c "import json,sys; d=json.load(sys.stdin); print(d['tool_input']['command'])"
```

## Heredocs with apostrophes — use Write + py script

If a heredoc payload contains apostrophes (single quotes) in the content, Git Bash `<<'EOF'` terminates early at the apostrophe. Workaround: write the content to a file using the Write tool, then read it with Python:

```bash
# Write the file with Write tool first, then:
py script.py
```

Or use Python to build and send the payload without a heredoc at all:

```bash
py -c "
import urllib.request, json
data = json.dumps({'body': \"It's a note about John's machine\"}).encode()
req = urllib.request.Request(url, data=data, headers={'Content-Type': 'application/json'})
urllib.request.urlopen(req)
"
```

## Sending HTTP requests via Python (avoids backslash hook)

The pre-bash-backslash hook blocks commands with Windows-style backslash paths. Python's `urllib.request` is a clean alternative to curl for sending POST requests that include backslash-containing paths in the payload:

```bash
py -c "
import urllib.request, json
url = 'http://172.16.3.30:8001/api/coord/messages'
data = json.dumps({'to_session': 'target', 'body': 'message'}).encode()
req = urllib.request.Request(url, data=data, headers={'Content-Type': 'application/json'})
resp = urllib.request.urlopen(req)
print(resp.status, resp.read())
"
```

## Unicode in log files

When reading log files that may contain non-UTF8 bytes (Windows logs, PowerShell output):

```python
sys.stdout.buffer.write(output.encode('utf-8', errors='replace'))
```

Do not use `open(file, 'r')` without specifying encoding on Windows — the default encoding varies by system locale and may not be UTF-8.