# Mail API local dev

Use the project virtualenv, not the global Python install. The local environment already resolves compatible `pydantic` and `pydantic-core` versions together.

## Start on Windows PowerShell

```powershell
cd C:\Users\mattc\gw-svelte\gw-svelte\mail-api
.\start-dev.ps1
```

## First-time setup

```powershell
cd C:\Users\mattc\gw-svelte\gw-svelte\mail-api
py -3.14 -m venv .venv
.\.venv\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install -r requirements.txt
```

## If you see a `pydantic-core` mismatch

You are almost certainly running against a global interpreter or a stale environment. Reinstall into the project virtualenv and start the app with `.\start-dev.ps1`.