Validation of this way of developing/testing

[wimgielis]

Hello all,

For context, I am working on a Pythonista app. My very first app in Pythonista :-)
I wanted to share my current way of working with you and see if that is a good one or can be improved upon.

First of all, I want to show you my current setup.
I have a Windows laptop where I will develop the Python application. The laptop is connected to a 34 inch screen.
Then I have my iPhone and my iPad. The mobile applications is where I develop and test the GUI.

To get the files on my iOS devices I would copy/paste the Python files to my OneDrive.
Then in Pythonista I would import file by file from OneDrive to the iCloud folder.
I have not yet found a way to import a folder from OneDrive and all of its constituent files.
Or even better, a folder with all its subfolders and all its files underneath contained in one import operation.

For smaller edits in the codes, I could use the Pythonista editor.
However in that case the code is not synced and I still have to copy/paste the code changes to my laptop again.

What I also experience is that a larger Python script, could fail and goes in error mode due to an error or other reasons.
I would then close the application on my iPad for example, but when I restart Pythonista it would crash and close itself immediately.
The only workaround I've found is that I cut the offending file out of my iCloud folder to a different folder and then restart the Pythonista app. Then it would load again without closing immediately.

What can others recommend as an approach please?

Thanks a lot for your help!

[RichardPotthoff]

I use Git repositories for my Python files.

On my iPad, I use the Working Copy app (I think they have a free version with limited features).

For Pythonista, I keep the local repository in "iPad/Files/On My iPad/Pythonista 3/...". That way both Pythonista and Working Copy can access the files.

P.S.: Regarding your "Pythonista crashing" problem: You can try to set the "Launch in Safe Mode" flag in "iPad/Settings/Apps/Pythonista/Launch in Safe Mode/". The flag will automatically be cleared when you run the Pythonista app again.

[wimgielis]

Thank you Richard, that gives plenty of new ideas to explore !

[mmccthomas]

I agree with Richard about using Working Copy as the intermediary.
Regarding the crashes, I have found that if you use breakpoints for debugging, they can get out of sync with modified lines and cause Pythonista to crash as it opens the file.
Starting Pythonista in safe mode stops the crash, but the file will still crash when next opened.
I fix the file by programmatically cut and paste the text into a new file, and replace the original by this file.
This clears the breakpoints and stops the crash. Let me know if you would like the fix_file program.

[wimgielis]

Hello both,

By now I have completed my setup. I learnt a lot even though I am not a beginner anymore. Kind of autodidact in Python and GitHub.

See below for an overview of my setup, for those interested.

For the fix_file program, yes please. It takes some time for me to develop the UI on the iPad, crashes are still there on a regular basis.

Development of the Python side is 90% done, now I focus on the UI and calling the relevant functions.

BTW, I am impressed with the Working Copy app and also its UI. It's amazing what can be done.

My setup for my hiking app:

• Windows PC
• Visual Studio Code IDE with extensions (like Notepad++)
• local git setup with a private GitHub as the remote location
  • git functionalities in VSCode rather than Git Bash commands, which work too
  • I .gitignore a bunch of files/folders
• my GitHub account has a private repository for the app
• iOS (latest versions) for iPhone (1 year old) and iPad (6 years old)
• the Pythonista app (10 EUR cost one-off) to edit and run Python scripts on iOS devices
  • Pythonista contains the main external libraries (pandas, ...) albeit an older version (Python itself is 3.10)
  • external libraries can be used (mainly copy/paste of files)
  • usually we would focus on pure-Python apps for best results
• my hiking app will be launched from an iOS shortcut on both devices
• the Working Copy app on iOS (in free mode) to pull the changes from GitHub
  • free mode means that iOS changes cannot be pushed to GitHub
  • any code change in iOS devices needs to be copy/pasted/emailed or using OneDrive added to the code on the PC, then pushed to GitHub again, and pulled on the iOS devices
  • the paid mode of Working Copy would cost 35 EUR one-off, for now it is not deemed useful enough. Changes in iOS will be rather limited once the app is set up and works. Full manual copy/paste of a few files is possible.
  • in iOS Working Copy files/folders will be exposed in iOS My Files
• multi-language text strings in the app using "gettext" in Python, and related tools to set up translations

[mmccthomas]

Hi Wim,
Here is my simple fix_file.
I tend to use it by replacing the folder and file name , but commented code allows selection for a list.

This utility fixes broken pythonista files

by cut and pasting them into new file

Please replace folder names and files with your own

import os
import editor
import clipboard
import console
import glob
import pathlib
import dialogs

def clipboard_transfer_replace(file_name=None):
if file_name is None:
# 1. Select the file
current_dir = pathlib.Path.cwd()
# 2. Define your folder and file names
folder_name = "Pythonista_games"

   files = sorted(glob.glob('*/*.py', root_dir='Pythonista_games'))
   file_name = dialogs.list_dialog('pick file', files)
   file_path = current_dir / folder_name / file_name
else:
    current_dir = pathlib.Path.cwd() 
    #files = sorted(glob.glob('*/*.py', root_dir='~'))
    #file_name = dialogs.list_dialog('pick file', files)
    folder_name = "."   
    #file_path = current_dir / folder_name / file_name
    file_path = pathlib.Path(file_name)
if not file_path:
    print("Selection cancelled.")
    return

temp_path = current_dir / folder_name/ "temp_from_clipboard.py"

try:
    # 2. Read original file and copy to clipboard
    with open(file_path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
        content = f.read()
    
    clipboard.set(content)

    # 3. Paste from clipboard into the temporary file
    # (We retrieve it from the clipboard buffer)
    clipboard_content = clipboard.get()
    
    with open(temp_path, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as temp_file:
        temp_file.write(clipboard_content)
    
    # 4. Delete the original file
    os.remove(file_path)
    
    # 5. Rename temporary to original
    os.rename(temp_path, file_path)
    
    console.hud_alert(f'{file_path.name} refreshed!', 'success')
    #print(f"File '{base_name}' has been refreshed via clipboard.")
    #print(file_path)
    # Test if now ok by opening
    editor.open_file(str(file_path), new_tab=True)

except Exception as e:
    console.alert("Error", str(e))

if name == 'main':
clipboard_transfer_replace('Pythonista_Elite/planet_generator2.py')

[RichardPotthoff]

Hi Wim,
you could do the commit of the iOS changes directly on the GitHub web page.
You would still need to copy/paste the changes, but it would be all done on your iOS device in Pythonista and Safari.
It helps if you have a hardware keyboard connected to your iOS device, because then you could use the "ctrl A", "ctrl C", and "ctrl V" keyboard shortcuts for the copy/paste part.

[mmccthomas]

Question

Does your app post process position information gathered from another iOS app, or does the Pythonista app also log the location and time info?
Note that it’s pretty hard to keep Pythonista running in the background for more than a few minutes,

[wimgielis]

Thank you. I will review soon. The intended use is not a “live” tracking. Rather it is that we have several known checkpoints on a hike. At each checkpoint I would do a “scan”: in a JSON file I add an event with the timestamp and the checkpoint reached. Like that all statistics like average speed and pace can be calculated. I would also have 2 events for starting a rest session and stopping a rest session. Hence I can add up all rest sessions, calculate average speed with with and without rest, for instance. A location in LAT/LON can be useful to show myself on a map with folium, based on the known GPX coordinates of the hike. I can have markers on the map for the checkpoints, expected time of arrival, even ask for a weather service for the temperature at the expected time I arrive at checkpoint X. I will also try to add a slider in Pythonista to play with the average speed: taking into account current distance and time, how does average speed to the remainder of the hike affect my time of arrival? It is my clear wish not to have an app or system that tracks on a continuous basis and drowns my battery. I know that on some way I am redoing what (professional) watches and apps can already do. But I prefer to avoid fees, drowned battery, and definitely also the fact that I can have it 100% the way I want it 😀 at least that’s my goal besides learning Python, Pythonista, git, GitHub, folium, API’s, working copy, … I mention API too because the hike that is my first target and deadline takes place in 2 weeks time. It has a website where you can track participants which goes to an API. The last important goal is to define a team of hikers and follow up their progress based on reading the API data from my app. The API is not yet live and I hope to cram it into the app with testing once it goes live in 1,5 weeks time or so.

…

------ Best regards / Beste groeten, Wim Gielis Current IBM Champion 2024-2026 Former MS Excel MVP 2011-2014 https://www.wimgielis.com <http://www.wimgielis.be> Op za 1 aug 2026 om 10:14 schreef Richard Potthoff ***@***.***

Hi Wim, you could do the commit of the iOS changes directly on the GitHub web page. You would still need to copy/paste the changes, but it would be all done on your iOS device in Pythonista and Safari. It helps if you have a hardware keyboard connected to your iOS device, because then you could use the "ctrl A", "ctrl C", and "ctrl V" keyboard shortcuts for the copy/paste part. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#133?email_source=notifications&email_token=AEDHULOCVRIPR4O7S7E4NND5HWRGPA5CNFSNUABIM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2ENFZWG5LTONUW63SDN5WW2ZLOOQXTCNZYGYYTINRRUZZGKYLTN5XKMYLVORUG64VFMV3GK3TUVRTG633UMVZF6Y3MNFRWW#discussioncomment-17861461>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AEDHULMC6ZHOSZXSKV2VP3L5HWRGPAVCNFSNUABIKJSXA33TNF2G64TZHM4DOOJRHE4DEOJVHNCGS43DOVZXG2LPNY5TCMBVGIZDSMBRUF3AE> . You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[mmccthomas]

I understand. You’ll create a shortcut of two to boot your Pythonista program with mode options to log points, add other relevant data etc.
For this sort of development I would keep the UI layer very thin, maybe using a queue to pass information back and forth. This allows you to test without the gui. I have found that debugging in a gui loop in Pythonista is very limited.

The transfer back and forth from GitHub if you don’t use Working copy sound like the sort of thing I would throw at an AI such as Claude or Gemini. These understand Pythonista pretty well. However, I think Working Copy is worth the money.
E.g try this in Gemini “Can you create a Pythonista program to commit a Pythonista module to GitHub and conversely allow merging of GitHub changes”

Nice project to bring all this together. I have concentrated on games, but have needed to develop some utilities to sync folders, fix files, etc. Have a look at my folder https://github.com/mmccthomas/Pythonista_games/tree/main/Utilities

Chris