Sublime Forum

Package Control fails to load on build 4205+ (Python 3.14 plugin host) — re.PatternError in semver.py

#1

After updating to build 4213 (stable channel), Package Control stopped working entirely — “Install Package” and every other PC command disappeared from the Command Palette.

Console shows the root cause: Package Control’s bundled package_control/semver.py fails to import:

re.PatternError: global flags not at the start of the expression at position 1 (line 1, column 2)

Traceback points to:
_match_regex = re.compile(’^%s$’ % _base_regex)

This looks like a fallout from the Python 3.14 plugin host introduced in build 4205. Python’s re module (3.11+) rejects inline regex flags that aren’t at the very start of a pattern. If _base_regex begins with an inline flag (e.g. (?x)), wrapping it as ^%s$ pushes that flag out of position 0, which now hard-fails instead of just warning.

Since Package Control’s own module can’t import, none of its commands register — this blocks installing or managing any package on 4205+ until Package Control ships a build compatible with the new host.

Confirmed this isn’t a stale-file issue: fully deleted and replaced Package Control.sublime-package with a fresh download, same crash immediately.

Workaround: rolled back to build 4200 (last build on the older plugin host) — Package Control and all my packages load and work fine there.

Is this a known/tracked issue? Any timeline on a Package Control release compatible with the 3.14 host? Happy to share the full console log if useful.

Build: 4213 (stable)
OS: Windows x64

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#2

You are likely still running Package Control 3.

Remove it and install Package Control 4, manually. Follow https://github.com/sublimehq/package_control

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#3

Thank you.
So to confirm - first Updated package control - then update ST to 4205?
I used the download here https://packagecontrol.io/installation

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