What is python3 (Python) on Mac?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
The Python programming language running a script, tool or app on your Mac.
python3 runs programs written in Python: scripts, data analysis, machine learning, Jupyter notebooks, and helper tools some apps include. The process name doesn't say which script it's running, so check what started it. Heavy usage simply reflects the work that program is doing.
- Category
- Developer tools
- Made by
- Python Software Foundation (open source)
- Safe to quit:
- Yes
Shown in Activity Monitor as python3, python, Python
Why is python3 (Python) using so much CPU or memory?
- Data processing or machine-learning scripts
- Jupyter notebooks or local servers
- Package installs compiling code
- A script stuck in a loop
What to do
- 1Check which Terminal window or app started it
- 2Stop scripts you don't need (Control-C in Terminal)
- 3Force quit the process if it's stuck
Safe to quit? Yes.
Generally safe; the script it was running stops and unsaved results may be lost.
Related processes
Part of the Taskglass Process Library