How to configure Python Facet Configuration in the .iml file in IntelliJ IDEA

October 29, 2026 07:22 Updated

Question

How to manually add a Python facet in the .iml file for a non-python project without IntelliJ IDEA?

Answer

The .iml file is linked to the configuration inside the .idea directory. If the .idea folder doesn’t exist when the project is opened, IDEA will automatically create it and regenerate the .iml file accordingly.

Follow these steps for proper configuration to ensure IntelliJ IDEA retains the Python facet:

Open the project in IntelliJ IDEA to allow the IDE to generate the .idea directory.
Make sure that the .iml file is created.
Close the project from IntelliJ IDEA.
Edit the .iml file, manually adding the required Python facet configuration. Example:
```
<component name="FacetManager">
    <facet type="Python" name="Python">
        <configuration sdkName="Python X.XX (your_env_here)" />
    </facet>
</component>
```
Replace Python X.XX (your_env_here) with the appropriate virtual environment identifier, which can be found under File | Project Structure | Platform Settings | SDKs:
Reopen the project in IDEA and verify that the Python facet has been applied in the project settings under File | Project Structure | Project Settings | Facets.

Note: it is important to make sure the Python SDK is already set up under File | Project Structure | Platform Settings | SDKs before doing this. And the name of the added python facet must match the name of the Python SDK.