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gnome-3-38 extension not compatible with python plugin on core20

View original Launchpad issue

Metadata

Project
snapcraft (launchpad)
Number
#1959851
Type
issue
State
closed
Author
~goodsoftworx
Labels
—
Created
Updated
Closed

Current evaluation

Closed as stale by @mr-cal; newer gnome extensions (core24+) improved PYTHONPATH handling, resolving the core20 python plugin incompatibility.

Resolution: closed stale

Reason: Maintainer @mr-cal closed the issue as stale on 2026-10-14, noting that newer versions of the gnome extension (core24 and higher) should have improved handling for this PYTHONPATH conflict. Users were advised to open a new bug report if the issue persists on newer bases.

Evaluated by: mr-cal-bot

No scores available.

Issue body

The gnome-3-38 extension sets PYTHONPATH to its own python interpreter, seemingly overriding python plugin functionality and causing build errors. This seems to have a larger negative impact on python-based GTK 3 snaps (PyGObject), which requires both the python plugin and the gnone-3-38 extension (on core20). This apparent incompatibility between gnome-3-38 and the python plugin on core20 has driven developers to either use a custom python installation by overriding PYTHONPATH, or downgrade to core18 + gnome-3-34. Please refer to the following related forum topics for more details: https://forum.snapcraft.io/t/gnome-extension-conflicts-with-python-plugin/23921 https://forum.snapcraft.io/t/build-a-snap-with-any-version-of-python-i-want/10420 https://forum.snapcraft.io/t/pygobject-and-snap-problem/28477

Evaluation history

Date Model Scores Action Summary
qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b — closed stale Closed as stale by @mr-cal; newer gnome extensions (core24+) improved PYTHONPATH handling, resolving the core20 python plugin incompatibility.
stealth/space-bunny-alpha
Impact: 58
Quick Win: 28
Complexity: 42
Confidence: 94
Actionability: 84
close resolved gnome-3-38’s PYTHONPATH handling broke Python plugin builds for core20 PyGObject snaps; merged PR #3424 addressed the incompatibility, but the Launchpad report remains open.
stealth/space-bunny-alpha
Impact: 55
Quick Win: 38
Complexity: 30
Confidence: 99
Actionability: 98
close resolved The core20 gnome-3-38/Python plugin PYTHONPATH conflict was fixed by merged PR #3424, but the Launchpad issue remains open.
stealth/space-bunny-alpha
Impact: 52
Quick Win: 26
Complexity: 34
Confidence: 94
Actionability: 76
close resolved PYTHONPATH handling made gnome-3-38 incompatible with the Python plugin for core20 PyGObject builds. The reported problem was addressed by merged PR #3424, followed by Python 3.8 build-path improvements.
qwen/qwen3.8-27b
Impact: 30
Quick Win: 14
Staleness: 98
Complexity: 55
Confidence: 60
Support Request: 10
close stale gnome-3-38 extension sets PYTHONPATH to its own interpreter, overriding the python plugin and causing build errors on core20. Affects PyGObject-based GTK 3 snaps. No maintainer activity in 4.5 years; core20 base is legacy.
qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b
Staleness: 98
Complexity: 65
Confidence: 85
Support Request: 20
close stale Incompatibility between gnome-3-38 extension and python plugin on core20 due to PYTHONPATH overrides. Unaddressed for over four years with no maintainer response.
qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b
Staleness: 92
Complexity: 48
Confidence: 85
Support Request: 22
close stale gnome-3-38 extension overrides PYTHONPATH, breaking python plugin builds for PyGObject on core20. Open for 4+ years with no maintainer response or labels.
qwen3.6-35b-a3b-mtp-q6
Staleness: 98
Complexity: 70
Confidence: 88
Support Request: 25
close stale Reports an incompatibility between the gnome-3-38 extension and python plugin on core20 due to PYTHONPATH overrides. Unresolved for over 4 years with zero maintainer interaction.

Update history

Date Change
created

Related work

  • Superseded By: snapcraft (launchpad)#1893262 (confidence 70%)

    Related issue about pygtk apps failing with gnome-3-34 extension; similar PYTHONPATH incompatibility on core20/core22, though still open.

Related issues

Issue Project State Summary Similarity
#1893262 pygtk apps fail with gnome-3-34 extension snapcraft (launchpad) open Python GTK apps using GNOME extensions still fail in core20/core22 because runtime Python module paths remain incompatible; a minimal reproducer is provided despite an earlier PYTHONPATH fix attempt.
73%