pip. Because FastAPI leverages modern Python features like type hints and asynchronous support, ensure your environment is running Python 3.7 or higher before beginning.
Core Installation
To install the base FastAPI framework, execute the following command in your terminal:
pip install fastapiThis installation provides the core library required to build your API. It is lightweight and ideal if you prefer to manage your server and dependencies manually.
Full Installation with Dependencies
For most developers, the “all-in-one” installation is recommended as it includes Uvicorn (the server used to run the app) and other useful optional dependencies:
pip install "fastapi[all]"This command ensures you have everything needed to start development immediately without troubleshooting missing server components.
The Role of the ASGI Server
FastAPI requires an ASGI (Asynchronous Server Gateway Interface) server to run. While the framework defines the logic and routing of your API, the server handles the actual communication between the web and your code. Uvicorn is the industry standard for this purpose due to its high performance.
With installation complete, you can begin building and deploying your application in seconds.