Python 3.11 Install Error: Av Wheel Missing

Hey everyone, I've run into a tricky issue while trying to install livekit-agents with Python 3.11, and I wanted to share what I found and how to potentially fix it. If you're hitting the same wall, you're not alone! The core problem revolves around the av package, specifically version 16.0.0, and the availability of pre-built wheels for Python 3.11. Let's dive in!

The Setup and the Snag

So, the goal was to get livekit-agents up and running, which includes the silero and turn-detector features. Here’s the basic setup I used to try and install the necessary packages:

uv venv --python 3.11 .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
uv add "livekit-agents[silero,turn-detector]~=1.2"

I was using uv, a fast Python package installer, to manage my virtual environment (.venv). I specified Python 3.11 and activated the environment. Then, I attempted to install livekit-agents with the extra features. The problem arose during the installation of av==16.0.0. Here's the error message:

error: Distribution `av==16.0.0 @ registry+https://pypi.org/simple` can't be installed because it doesn't have a source distribution or wheel for the current platform

hint: You're using CPython 3.11 (`cp311`), but `av` (v16.0.0) only has wheels with the following Python ABI tag: `cp310`

Basically, the error says that av version 16.0.0 doesn't have a pre-built wheel (a ready-to-install package) for Python 3.11. It only has a wheel for Python 3.10 (cp310). This means uv (or any other installer) needs to build av from source, but it's failing. This is a common issue when a package hasn't been updated to provide pre-built wheels for the latest Python versions.

Why This Happens

Guys, the reason for this is usually pretty straightforward. When a package maintainer builds and releases a package, they create pre-built wheels for various Python versions and operating systems. These wheels contain compiled code and are designed to be quickly installed. If a wheel isn't available for a specific Python version, the installer tries to build it from the source code. Building from source can be complex, often requiring specific compilers and dependencies, and sometimes fails if those aren't correctly set up.

In this case, the maintainers of av haven't yet provided a pre-built wheel for Python 3.11 for version 16.0.0. This could be due to resource constraints, the need to update the build process, or simply not having gotten around to it yet. Whatever the reason, the result is the same: the installation fails.

The Workaround: Try a Newer Version or Older Python

Here are a couple of possible solutions to this installation hiccup. It's always good to have options, right?

Option 1: Use a Newer Version of av (if available)

Check if there's a newer version of the av package available that does have a wheel for Python 3.11. You can do this by searching on PyPI, the Python Package Index. If a newer version exists, try specifying that version in your uv add command, or letting the package manager resolve the dependencies. For example:

uv add "livekit-agents[silero,turn-detector]~=1.2"

If livekit-agents allows a more recent version of av, this might solve the issue. Be aware that newer versions could have potential compatibility issues, so test your application thoroughly after the update.

Option 2: Use Python 3.10 (or an earlier version)

As the error message indicates, the av package (v16.0.0) has a pre-built wheel available for Python 3.10. If you can, switch back to Python 3.10 for your project environment. This is often the easiest and quickest fix if you don't need features specific to Python 3.11. To do this, you can create a new virtual environment using Python 3.10.

uv venv --python 3.10 .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
uv add "livekit-agents[silero,turn-detector]~=1.2"

This approach worked for me, and it might be the most straightforward solution if you don't have any particular reason to stick with 3.11.

Option 3: Building from source (Advanced users)

If you're feeling brave and have the necessary build tools installed, you could try to build av from source. This involves installing the necessary compilers, headers, and any other dependencies required by av. This method is more complex and prone to errors if your build environment isn't set up correctly. You might need to consult the av package's documentation for detailed instructions on building from source, which can be found on the package's documentation (typically on the PyPI page or the project's GitHub repository).

What's Next?

Keep an eye on the av package's updates. The maintainers will likely release a new version with a Python 3.11 wheel in the future. Check the package's PyPI page or GitHub repository for announcements. You could also open an issue on the package's issue tracker to notify the maintainers of the missing wheel (if one hasn't already been created). This helps them prioritize the update and makes sure the issue is on their radar.

Conclusion

So, the missing wheel for av version 16.0.0 on Python 3.11 is the culprit. Remember to explore the options: try a newer av version, use Python 3.10, or build from source (if you're up for it). Hopefully, this helps you get livekit-agents up and running! If you have any other questions or run into further issues, feel free to ask in the comments. Happy coding, everyone!

For more detailed information on how to manage Python packages, consider checking out the official Python documentation.