Using the Flask CLI

| programming | python |

Who knew that flask had a cli? Previously I used to just use manage.py just like Django does it to “do stuff”. The CLI is great, but again it follows the theme of kind of wanting you to install your flask app. (I really should do this). So in order to get your app to work you must point the FLASK_APP variable to the actual python file (not your app module). This is true even if you have a true python module. For instance.

export FLASK_APP = blog/blog.py
flask run
Works, while
export FLASK_APP = blog
flask run
Does not. Even though blog consists of:
blog/
  __init__.py
  blog.py

Thank you for reading! Share your thoughts with me on bluesky, mastodon, or via email.

Check out some more stuff to read down below.

Most popular posts this month

Recent Favorite Blog Posts

This is a collection of the last 8 posts that I bookmarked.

Articles from blogs I follow around the net

Issue 102 – The public will pay

Justin Sun buys his way out of an SEC fraud case, Iranian transactions on Binance draw DOJ scrutiny as the exchange sues the newspaper that reported on them, and crypto super PACs dump millions into Tuesday’s primaries in Illinois.

via Citation Needed March 16, 2026

Back in February I bought a four-wheeler and I’ve been having a lot of fun putting in some miles, adding accessories, and being outdoors. It is a 2026 Polaris Sportsman. A great way to end winter. It affords me to get to locations to do some photography t…

via Colin Devroe March 16, 2026

Fine Specimens by Elliot Jay Stocks

A curated collection of the best in contemporary type design Elliot is back with a new typography book! Elliot Jay Stocks

via Blog – Brad Frost March 16, 2026

Generated by openring