Build and Compilation Steps for RLM: A Pure-Python Installation Guide

RLM requires no compilation; it is a pure-Python library installed via uv or pip in editable mode within a virtual environment.

The Recursive Language Model (RLM) repository (alexzhang13/rlm) contains no C extensions, Rust components, or binary build steps. Because the entire codebase consists of Python source files, installation focuses on virtual environment creation and dependency resolution rather than traditional compilation.

Prerequisites for Building RLM

Before installing RLM, ensure you have Python 3.11 or newer installed. The project uses uv as its preferred package manager for faster dependency resolution.

Install uv if you haven't already:

curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

Core Build Steps for RLM

Since RLM is a pure-Python project, the "build" process consists of creating a virtual environment and installing the package in editable mode. This approach allows you to modify source files in rlm/ and see changes immediately without reinstallation.

1. Initialize the Virtual Environment

Create an isolated environment using uv:

uv init && uv venv --python 3.12

2. Install RLM in Editable Mode

Navigate to the repository root and install the package using the editable flag:

uv pip install -e .

This command reads pyproject.toml to resolve core dependencies and makes the rlm package importable from your environment. The -e flag creates a link to your source directory, so changes to rlm/__init__.py or other modules reflect immediately.

3. Verify the Installation

Confirm the installation by importing the library and running a minimal completion:

from rlm import RLM

rlm = RLM(
    backend="openai",
    backend_kwargs={"model_name": "gpt-5-nano"},
    verbose=True,
)

print(
    rlm.completion(
        "Print the first 10 Fibonacci numbers, one per line."
    ).response
)

Optional Dependencies and Extras

RLM provides sandbox environments through optional extras defined in pyproject.toml. These extras install additional third-party libraries for specific backends like Modal, Prime, or Docker.

Install with the Modal extra:

uv pip install -e ".[modal]"

The repository includes a Makefile that wraps these commands. Key targets include:

• make install – Runs uv sync to create a reproducible virtual environment with core dependencies.
• make install-dev – Installs development and test groups using uv sync --group dev --group test.
• make install-modal – Installs the Modal extra specifically via uv pip install -e ".[modal]".

Development and Verification Workflow

After installation, verify the build by running the test suite or quick-start examples. The Makefile provides convenient targets for these tasks.

Run the quick-start example (requires an OpenAI API key):

make quickstart

# Or directly: uv run python -m examples.quickstart

Execute linting and tests:

make check

This target invokes ruff for linting and pytest to run the test suite located in tests/, confirming that the editable installation functions correctly.

Key Build Files in the RLM Repository

Understanding these files helps diagnose installation issues:

• pyproject.toml – Declares package metadata, core dependencies, and optional extras like modal and prime. This file drives the entire installation process and dependency resolution.
• Makefile – Encapsulates common commands including install, install-dev, install-modal, and check. It provides a consistent interface for the build workflow.
• README.md – Contains the official installation instructions in the Quick Setup and Manual Setup sections.
• rlm/__init__.py – The package entry point; importing rlm loads from this file after successful installation.
• examples/quickstart.py – A minimal runnable script that validates the installation by executing a basic RLM completion call.
• tests/ – Directory containing the test suite executed by make test or uv run pytest.

Summary

• RLM is a pure-Python library requiring no compilation, C++ compilers, or binary builds.
• The core build step is editable installation (uv pip install -e .) which links the source directory to your environment.
• Optional extras in pyproject.toml provide sandbox support (Modal, Docker) via uv pip install -e ".[extra]".
• The Makefile automates environment setup, dependency installation, and verification targets.
• Python 3.11+ is required, with uv as the recommended package manager for fastest resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does RLM require a C++ compiler or build tools?

No. RLM contains no C extensions, Rust components, or compiled binaries according to the source code analysis. The installation process only requires Python and a package manager (uv or pip) to resolve dependencies listed in pyproject.toml.

What is the difference between uv sync and uv pip install -e .?

uv sync creates a reproducible virtual environment based strictly on the lockfile and dependency groups in pyproject.toml, while uv pip install -e . installs the package in editable mode, creating a link to your source directory. The editable mode is preferred for development because changes to rlm/ source files reflect immediately without reinstallation.

How do I install RLM with Docker support?

Docker support is available as an optional extra. Run uv pip install -e ".[docker]" or use the Makefile target make install-dev if Docker dependencies are grouped there. Verify the installation by running make docker-repl, which launches the Docker-based REPL example from the repository.

Why does the Makefile use uv instead of standard pip?

The Makefile defaults to uv because it provides faster dependency resolution and environment management compared to pip. However, the commands are functionally equivalent; you can substitute pip install -e . for uv pip install -e . if you prefer standard tooling, though uv is strongly recommended for consistency with the project's development workflow.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}