OpenAI has acquired Python toolmaker Astral in a strategic move to intensify competition with Anthropic in the AI-powered coding tools market.
The acquisition integrates Astral’s high-performance Python development suite into OpenAI’s Codex platform, a system now serving over 2 million weekly active users - a threefold increase since January and a fivefold surge in overall usage.
Astral, a trusted name in the Python developer community, is known for enhancing speed and reliability in code workflows. Its founder and CEO, Charlie Marsh, confirmed OpenAI will continue supporting Astral’s open-source tools post-acquisition.
The deal comes as OpenAI expands its desktop offerings and faces growing pressure from Anthropic’s Claude Code, which has gained significant traction among software engineers.