If you are creating a new function, see the Console Quickstart on Cloud Run. The content on this page only applies to existing legacy functions created with the Cloud Functions v1 API.
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The Python Runtime
Overview
Your Cloud Run function runs in an environment consisting of an operating
system version plus add-on packages, language support, and
the Functions Framework library that supports and invokes your function.
This environment is identified by the language version, and is known as the
runtime.
To get started with Python on Cloud Run functions, see the
Quickstart.
Select your runtime
Cloud Run functions supports several versions of Python, listed on the
Runtime support page. You can
select the preferred Python runtime for your function during deployment.
gcloud
If you're using the Google Cloud CLI, specify the runtime
by using the --runtime parameter. For example:
You can prepare a function directly from the Google Cloud console or write it on
your local machine and upload it. To prepare your local machine for Python
development, see Setting Up a Python Development
Environment.
To get started quickly with Python on Cloud Run functions, see the
Quickstart.
Source code structure
For Cloud Run functions to find your function's definition, your
source code must follow a specific structure. See
Writing Cloud Run functions
for more information.
Specifying dependencies
There are two ways to specify dependencies for Cloud Run functions written
in Python: using the pip package manager's requirements.txt file or
packaging local dependencies alongside your function. For more information, see
Specifying dependencies in
Python.
Cloud Run functions doesn't support specifying dependencies with the
Pipfile/Pipfile.lock. Your project shouldn't include these files.
Environment variables
Your Python runtime automatically sets certain environment variables for your
function to use as needed. For details, see Using Environment
Variables.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Hard to understand","hardToUnderstand","thumb-down"],["Incorrect information or sample code","incorrectInformationOrSampleCode","thumb-down"],["Missing the information/samples I need","missingTheInformationSamplesINeed","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-08-07 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eCloud Run functions operate within a defined runtime environment that includes the operating system, language support, and the Functions Framework library.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eUsers can select their preferred Python runtime version during deployment through the Google Cloud CLI using the \u003ccode\u003e--runtime\u003c/code\u003e parameter or via the Google Cloud console.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003ePython dependencies for Cloud Run functions can be managed through a \u003ccode\u003erequirements.txt\u003c/code\u003e file or by packaging them locally with the function.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eThe source code structure must adhere to specific guidelines to ensure Cloud Run functions can locate the function's definition.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003ePython Environment variables will automatically be set by the runtime for the function to use.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],[],null,["# The Python Runtime\n==================\n\nOverview\n--------\n\nYour Cloud Run function runs in an environment consisting of an operating\nsystem version plus add-on packages, language support, and\nthe Functions Framework library that supports and invokes your function.\nThis environment is identified by the language version, and is known as the\nruntime.\n\nFor information about runtimes in general, and to learn which Ubuntu version\neach Python runtime uses, see the [Cloud Run functions execution\nenvironment](/functions/1stgendocs/concepts/execution-environment#python).\n\nTo get started with Python on Cloud Run functions, see the\n[Quickstart](/functions/1stgendocs/create-deploy-gcloud-1st-gen).\n\nSelect your runtime\n-------------------\n\nCloud Run functions supports several versions of Python, listed on the\n[Runtime support](/functions/1stgendocs/runtime-support#python) page. You can\nselect the preferred Python runtime for your function during deployment. \n\n### gcloud\n\nIf you're using the Google Cloud CLI, specify the runtime\nby using the `--runtime` parameter. For example: \n\n```bash\ngcloud functions deploy NAME --no-gen2 --runtime python312 --trigger-http\n```\n\nFor more deployment parameters, see [Deploy a Cloud Run functions](/functions/1stgendocs/deploy#basics).\n\n### Console\n\nIf you're using the Google Cloud console, see the\n[Google Cloud console instructions](/functions/1stgendocs/deploy#console).\n\nFunction preparation\n--------------------\n\nYou can prepare a function directly from the Google Cloud console or write it on\nyour local machine and upload it. To prepare your local machine for Python\ndevelopment, see [Setting Up a Python Development\nEnvironment](/python/docs/setup).\n\nTo get started quickly with Python on Cloud Run functions, see the\n[Quickstart](/functions/1stgendocs/create-deploy-http-python-1st-gen).\n\nSource code structure\n---------------------\n\nFor Cloud Run functions to find your function's definition, your\nsource code must follow a specific structure. See\n[Writing Cloud Run functions](/functions/1stgendocs/writing#structuring_source_code)\nfor more information.\n\nSpecifying dependencies\n-----------------------\n\nThere are two ways to specify dependencies for Cloud Run functions written\nin Python: using the `pip` package manager's `requirements.txt` file or\npackaging local dependencies alongside your function. For more information, see\n[Specifying dependencies in\nPython](/functions/1stgendocs/writing/specifying-dependencies-python).\n\nCloud Run functions doesn't support specifying dependencies with the\n`Pipfile/Pipfile.lock`. Your project shouldn't include these files.\n\nEnvironment variables\n---------------------\n\nYour Python runtime automatically sets certain environment variables for your\nfunction to use as needed. For details, see [Using Environment\nVariables](/functions/1stgendocs/configuring/env-var#python_37_and_go_111)."]]
