From 52e408c250fd3df665f5432a09251a45c698250d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Taylor Steinberg <taylor@steinberg.xyz>
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:06:20 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 1/8] fix: match patch releases for minor Python overrides

---
 rsconnect/environment.py  |  3 ++-
 rsconnect/validation.py   |  4 +---
 tests/test_environment.py |  2 +-
 tests/test_main.py        | 29 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 4 files changed, 33 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)

diff --git a/rsconnect/environment.py b/rsconnect/environment.py
index 85bd1037..4836ef8e 100644
--- a/rsconnect/environment.py
+++ b/rsconnect/environment.py
@@ -159,7 +159,8 @@ def create_python_environment(
                 "The --override-python-version option is deprecated, "
                 "please use a .python-version file to force a specific interpreter version."
             )
-            python_version_requirement = f"=={override_python_version}"
+            suffix = ".*" if len(override_python_version.split(".")) == 2 else ""
+            python_version_requirement = f"=={override_python_version}{suffix}"
 
         # with cli_feedback("Inspecting Python environment"):
         environment = cls._get_python_env_info(module_file, python, requirements_file=requirements_file)
diff --git a/rsconnect/validation.py b/rsconnect/validation.py
index 6cac906b..ff1e5d9a 100644
--- a/rsconnect/validation.py
+++ b/rsconnect/validation.py
@@ -430,10 +430,8 @@ class PythonVersionParamType(click.ParamType):
     def convert(self, value: str, param: Optional[click.Parameter], ctx: Optional[click.Context]):
         try:
             parts = list(map(int, value.split(".")))
-            if len(parts) == 3:
+            if len(parts) in (2, 3):
                 return value
-            elif len(parts) == 2:
-                return value + ".0"
             else:
                 raise ValueError
         except (AttributeError, ValueError):
diff --git a/tests/test_environment.py b/tests/test_environment.py
index cbf364b9..ac252cab 100644
--- a/tests/test_environment.py
+++ b/tests/test_environment.py
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ def test_override_python_version(self):
             "The --override-python-version option is deprecated, "
             "please use a .python-version file to force a specific interpreter version."
         )
-        assert result.python_version_requirement == "==3.8"
+        assert result.python_version_requirement == "==3.8.*"
 
     def test_python_interpreter(self):
         current_python_version = ".".join((str(v) for v in sys.version_info[:3]))
diff --git a/tests/test_main.py b/tests/test_main.py
index 94a59c2f..a2a6c60c 100644
--- a/tests/test_main.py
+++ b/tests/test_main.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 import httpretty
 import pytest
 from click.testing import CliRunner
+from packaging.specifiers import SpecifierSet
 
 from rsconnect import VERSION
 from rsconnect.api import RSConnectClient, RSConnectServer
@@ -2154,6 +2155,34 @@ def test_no_package_json(self, tmp_path):
 
 
 class TestWriteManifestFramework:
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        "version, expected_requirement, matching, nonmatching",
+        [
+            ("3.11", "==3.11.*", "3.11.15", "3.12.0"),
+            ("3.11.0", "==3.11.0", "3.11.0", "3.11.15"),
+            ("3.11.15", "==3.11.15", "3.11.15", "3.11.14"),
+        ],
+    )
+    def test_override_python_version(self, tmp_path, version, expected_requirement, matching, nonmatching):
+        (tmp_path / "app.py").write_text("app = object()\n")
+        (tmp_path / "requirements.txt").write_text("flask\n")
+
+        result = CliRunner().invoke(
+            cli,
+            [
+                "write-manifest", "api", "--entrypoint", "app:app", "--exclude-renv",
+                "--override-python-version", version, str(tmp_path),
+            ],
+        )
+        assert result.exit_code == 0, result.output
+
+        manifest = json.loads((tmp_path / "manifest.json").read_text())
+        assert manifest["python"]["version"] == version
+        requirement = manifest["environment"]["python"]["requires"]
+        assert requirement == expected_requirement
+        assert matching in SpecifierSet(requirement)
+        assert nonmatching not in SpecifierSet(requirement)
+
     @pytest.mark.parametrize("existing_requirements", [False, True])
     def test_force_generate_requirements(self, tmp_path, existing_requirements):
         (tmp_path / "app.py").write_text("app = object()\n")

From a3a7fcb67a1927e773a65dbdff965d7e0f754bdd Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Taylor Steinberg <taylor@steinberg.xyz>
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:46:01 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 2/8] style: format Python override regression test

---
 tests/test_main.py | 10 ++++++++--
 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/tests/test_main.py b/tests/test_main.py
index a2a6c60c..4851bbff 100644
--- a/tests/test_main.py
+++ b/tests/test_main.py
@@ -2170,8 +2170,14 @@ def test_override_python_version(self, tmp_path, version, expected_requirement,
         result = CliRunner().invoke(
             cli,
             [
-                "write-manifest", "api", "--entrypoint", "app:app", "--exclude-renv",
-                "--override-python-version", version, str(tmp_path),
+                "write-manifest",
+                "api",
+                "--entrypoint",
+                "app:app",
+                "--exclude-renv",
+                "--override-python-version",
+                version,
+                str(tmp_path),
             ],
         )
         assert result.exit_code == 0, result.output

From 644a4ac0a0ad0f0ac15c04441bd73f534a1c9d09 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Taylor Steinberg <taylor@steinberg.xyz>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:56:02 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 3/8] test: exercise Python overrides against Connect

---
 tests/test_main.py | 32 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 32 insertions(+)

diff --git a/tests/test_main.py b/tests/test_main.py
index 4d52da0f..356fc6d1 100644
--- a/tests/test_main.py
+++ b/tests/test_main.py
@@ -1622,6 +1622,38 @@ def test_deploy_api(self):
         result = runner.invoke(cli, args)
         assert result.exit_code == 0, result.output
 
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("override_kind", ["minor", "patch"])
+    def test_deploy_api_with_python_override(self, tmp_path, override_kind):
+        require_connect_version("2025.03.0")
+        client = RSConnectClient(RSConnectServer(require_connect(), require_api_key()))
+        installations = client.python_settings()["installations"]
+        installed = {item["version"] for item in installations}
+        candidates = []
+        for item in installations:
+            version = item["version"]
+            match = re.fullmatch(r"(3)\.(\d+)\.(\d+)", version)
+            if not match or item.get("publishable") is False:
+                continue
+            major, minor, patch = map(int, match.groups())
+            if minor >= 8 and patch > 0 and f"{major}.{minor}.0" not in installed:
+                candidates.append((major, minor, patch))
+
+        if not candidates:
+            pytest.skip("Connect needs a publishable Python >= 3.8 with a nonzero patch and no matching x.y.0")
+
+        major, minor, patch = max(candidates)
+        version = f"{major}.{minor}"
+        if override_kind == "patch":
+            version += f".{patch}"
+
+        source = get_api_path("flask")
+        shutil.copy(join(source, "app.py"), tmp_path)
+        shutil.copy(join(source, "requirements.txt"), tmp_path)
+        args = self.create_deploy_args("api", str(tmp_path))
+        args.extend(["--entrypoint", "app:app", "--exclude-renv", "--override-python-version", version])
+        result = CliRunner().invoke(cli, args)
+        assert result.exit_code == 0, result.output
+
     def test_deploy_api_fail_verify(self):
         target = optional_target(get_api_path("flask-bad"))
         runner = CliRunner()

From 20e01b06b7d388a3ba950f103d9b20485e3a2d82 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Taylor Steinberg <taylor@steinberg.xyz>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2026 13:04:13 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 4/8] fix: require patch versions for Python overrides

---
 docs/deploying.md         |  2 ++
 rsconnect/environment.py  |  3 +--
 rsconnect/validation.py   |  8 ++++++--
 tests/test_environment.py |  4 ++--
 tests/test_main.py        | 24 +++++++++++++++---------
 5 files changed, 26 insertions(+), 15 deletions(-)

diff --git a/docs/deploying.md b/docs/deploying.md
index 7e5291ad..8f0c4372 100644
--- a/docs/deploying.md
+++ b/docs/deploying.md
@@ -232,6 +232,8 @@ rsconnect deploy api --override-python-version 3.11.5 my-api/
 
 will deploy the content in `my-api` while requesting that Connect
 use Python version 3.11.5.
+The `--override-python-version` option requires a full version, including the
+patch component; for example, use `3.11.5` rather than `3.11`.
 
 > **Note**
 > The packages and package versions listed in `requirements.txt` must be
diff --git a/rsconnect/environment.py b/rsconnect/environment.py
index 0243ae03..f9dad6d3 100644
--- a/rsconnect/environment.py
+++ b/rsconnect/environment.py
@@ -157,8 +157,7 @@ def create_python_environment(
                 "The --override-python-version option is deprecated, "
                 "please use a .python-version file to force a specific interpreter version."
             )
-            suffix = ".*" if len(override_python_version.split(".")) == 2 else ""
-            python_version_requirement = f"=={override_python_version}{suffix}"
+            python_version_requirement = f"=={override_python_version}"
 
         # with cli_feedback("Inspecting Python environment"):
         environment = cls._get_python_env_info(module_file, python, requirements_file=requirements_file)
diff --git a/rsconnect/validation.py b/rsconnect/validation.py
index ff1e5d9a..7a6400de 100644
--- a/rsconnect/validation.py
+++ b/rsconnect/validation.py
@@ -430,12 +430,16 @@ class PythonVersionParamType(click.ParamType):
     def convert(self, value: str, param: Optional[click.Parameter], ctx: Optional[click.Context]):
         try:
             parts = list(map(int, value.split(".")))
-            if len(parts) in (2, 3):
+            if len(parts) == 3:
                 return value
             else:
                 raise ValueError
         except (AttributeError, ValueError):
-            self.fail(f"{value!r} is not a valid python version; expected 3.x or 3.x.y", param, ctx)
+            self.fail(
+                f"{value!r} is not a valid python version; expected major.minor.patch (for example, 3.11.15)",
+                param,
+                ctx,
+            )
 
 
 PYTHON_VERSION = PythonVersionParamType()
diff --git a/tests/test_environment.py b/tests/test_environment.py
index 23de8687..dd1ddfb2 100644
--- a/tests/test_environment.py
+++ b/tests/test_environment.py
@@ -504,13 +504,13 @@ def test_override_python_version(self):
         assert result.python_version_requirement is None
 
         with mock.patch.object(rsconnect.environment.logger, "warning") as mock_warning:
-            result = Environment.create_python_environment(get_dir("pip1-no-version"), override_python_version="3.8")
+            result = Environment.create_python_environment(get_dir("pip1-no-version"), override_python_version="3.8.1")
         assert mock_warning.call_count == 1
         mock_warning.assert_called_once_with(
             "The --override-python-version option is deprecated, "
             "please use a .python-version file to force a specific interpreter version."
         )
-        assert result.python_version_requirement == "==3.8.*"
+        assert result.python_version_requirement == "==3.8.1"
 
     def test_python_interpreter(self):
         current_python_version = ".".join((str(v) for v in sys.version_info[:3]))
diff --git a/tests/test_main.py b/tests/test_main.py
index 356fc6d1..e33c0413 100644
--- a/tests/test_main.py
+++ b/tests/test_main.py
@@ -1622,12 +1622,10 @@ def test_deploy_api(self):
         result = runner.invoke(cli, args)
         assert result.exit_code == 0, result.output
 
-    @pytest.mark.parametrize("override_kind", ["minor", "patch"])
-    def test_deploy_api_with_python_override(self, tmp_path, override_kind):
+    def test_deploy_api_with_python_override(self, tmp_path):
         require_connect_version("2025.03.0")
         client = RSConnectClient(RSConnectServer(require_connect(), require_api_key()))
         installations = client.python_settings()["installations"]
-        installed = {item["version"] for item in installations}
         candidates = []
         for item in installations:
             version = item["version"]
@@ -1635,16 +1633,14 @@ def test_deploy_api_with_python_override(self, tmp_path, override_kind):
             if not match or item.get("publishable") is False:
                 continue
             major, minor, patch = map(int, match.groups())
-            if minor >= 8 and patch > 0 and f"{major}.{minor}.0" not in installed:
+            if minor >= 8 and patch > 0:
                 candidates.append((major, minor, patch))
 
         if not candidates:
-            pytest.skip("Connect needs a publishable Python >= 3.8 with a nonzero patch and no matching x.y.0")
+            pytest.skip("Connect needs a publishable Python >= 3.8 with a nonzero patch")
 
         major, minor, patch = max(candidates)
-        version = f"{major}.{minor}"
-        if override_kind == "patch":
-            version += f".{patch}"
+        version = f"{major}.{minor}.{patch}"
 
         source = get_api_path("flask")
         shutil.copy(join(source, "app.py"), tmp_path)
@@ -1654,6 +1650,11 @@ def test_deploy_api_with_python_override(self, tmp_path, override_kind):
         result = CliRunner().invoke(cli, args)
         assert result.exit_code == 0, result.output
 
+    def test_deploy_api_rejects_minor_python_override(self, tmp_path):
+        result = CliRunner().invoke(cli, ["deploy", "api", "--override-python-version", "3.11", str(tmp_path)])
+        assert result.exit_code != 0
+        assert "expected major.minor.patch" in result.output
+
     def test_deploy_api_fail_verify(self):
         target = optional_target(get_api_path("flask-bad"))
         runner = CliRunner()
@@ -2279,7 +2280,6 @@ class TestWriteManifestFramework:
     @pytest.mark.parametrize(
         "version, expected_requirement, matching, nonmatching",
         [
-            ("3.11", "==3.11.*", "3.11.15", "3.12.0"),
             ("3.11.0", "==3.11.0", "3.11.0", "3.11.15"),
             ("3.11.15", "==3.11.15", "3.11.15", "3.11.14"),
         ],
@@ -2310,6 +2310,12 @@ def test_override_python_version(self, tmp_path, version, expected_requirement,
         assert matching in SpecifierSet(requirement)
         assert nonmatching not in SpecifierSet(requirement)
 
+    def test_minor_python_override_is_rejected(self, tmp_path):
+        result = CliRunner().invoke(cli, ["write-manifest", "api", "--override-python-version", "3.11", str(tmp_path)])
+        assert result.exit_code != 0
+        assert "expected major.minor.patch" in result.output
+        assert not (tmp_path / "manifest.json").exists()
+
     def test_dangling_symlink_reports_clear_error(self, tmp_path):
         (tmp_path / "app.py").write_text("app = object()\n")
         (tmp_path / "requirements.txt").write_text("flask\n")

From 4157300c32fac23a88001c57a1658160d65f9224 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Taylor Steinberg <taylor@steinberg.xyz>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2026 13:25:00 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 5/8] fix: support minor-only Python version overrides

---
 docs/deploying.md         |  7 +++++--
 rsconnect/environment.py  | 11 +++++++++--
 rsconnect/validation.py   |  4 ++--
 tests/test_environment.py |  8 ++++++++
 tests/test_main.py        | 30 ++++++++++++++++++------------
 5 files changed, 42 insertions(+), 18 deletions(-)

diff --git a/docs/deploying.md b/docs/deploying.md
index 8f0c4372..7a0be04e 100644
--- a/docs/deploying.md
+++ b/docs/deploying.md
@@ -232,8 +232,11 @@ rsconnect deploy api --override-python-version 3.11.5 my-api/
 
 will deploy the content in `my-api` while requesting that Connect
 use Python version 3.11.5.
-The `--override-python-version` option requires a full version, including the
-patch component; for example, use `3.11.5` rather than `3.11`.
+On modern Connect versions, a major and minor version such as `3.11` requests
+the latest available patch release in that series. The manifest records the
+local Python version separately for compatibility. Older Connect versions that
+do not support version constraints use that local version instead, so specify a
+full version such as `3.11.5` when deploying to those servers.
 
 > **Note**
 > The packages and package versions listed in `requirements.txt` must be
diff --git a/rsconnect/environment.py b/rsconnect/environment.py
index f9dad6d3..89730bad 100644
--- a/rsconnect/environment.py
+++ b/rsconnect/environment.py
@@ -157,13 +157,20 @@ def create_python_environment(
                 "The --override-python-version option is deprecated, "
                 "please use a .python-version file to force a specific interpreter version."
             )
-            python_version_requirement = f"=={override_python_version}"
+            suffix = ".*" if len(override_python_version.split(".")) == 2 else ""
+            if suffix:
+                logger.warning(
+                    "Older Posit Connect versions without Python version constraint support will use the "
+                    "local Python version instead of the minor-only override. Specify a full patch version "
+                    "for those servers."
+                )
+            python_version_requirement = f"=={override_python_version}{suffix}"
 
         # with cli_feedback("Inspecting Python environment"):
         environment = cls._get_python_env_info(module_file, python, requirements_file=requirements_file)
         environment.python_version_requirement = python_version_requirement
 
-        if override_python_version:
+        if override_python_version and len(override_python_version.split(".")) == 3:
             # Retaing backward compatibility with old Connect versions
             # that didn't support environment.python.requires
             environment.python = override_python_version
diff --git a/rsconnect/validation.py b/rsconnect/validation.py
index 7a6400de..f8689789 100644
--- a/rsconnect/validation.py
+++ b/rsconnect/validation.py
@@ -430,13 +430,13 @@ class PythonVersionParamType(click.ParamType):
     def convert(self, value: str, param: Optional[click.Parameter], ctx: Optional[click.Context]):
         try:
             parts = list(map(int, value.split(".")))
-            if len(parts) == 3:
+            if len(parts) in (2, 3):
                 return value
             else:
                 raise ValueError
         except (AttributeError, ValueError):
             self.fail(
-                f"{value!r} is not a valid python version; expected major.minor.patch (for example, 3.11.15)",
+                f"{value!r} is not a valid python version; expected major.minor or major.minor.patch",
                 param,
                 ctx,
             )
diff --git a/tests/test_environment.py b/tests/test_environment.py
index dd1ddfb2..f7498e6f 100644
--- a/tests/test_environment.py
+++ b/tests/test_environment.py
@@ -512,6 +512,14 @@ def test_override_python_version(self):
         )
         assert result.python_version_requirement == "==3.8.1"
 
+    def test_minor_python_override_warns_about_legacy_connect(self):
+        with mock.patch.object(rsconnect.environment.logger, "warning") as mock_warning:
+            result = Environment.create_python_environment(get_dir("pip1-no-version"), override_python_version="3.8")
+
+        assert result.python == ".".join(str(part) for part in sys.version_info[:3])
+        assert result.python_version_requirement == "==3.8.*"
+        assert any("local Python version instead" in call.args[0] for call in mock_warning.call_args_list)
+
     def test_python_interpreter(self):
         current_python_version = ".".join((str(v) for v in sys.version_info[:3]))
 
diff --git a/tests/test_main.py b/tests/test_main.py
index e33c0413..3f0739f9 100644
--- a/tests/test_main.py
+++ b/tests/test_main.py
@@ -1622,7 +1622,8 @@ def test_deploy_api(self):
         result = runner.invoke(cli, args)
         assert result.exit_code == 0, result.output
 
-    def test_deploy_api_with_python_override(self, tmp_path):
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("minor_only", [False, True])
+    def test_deploy_api_with_python_override(self, tmp_path, minor_only):
         require_connect_version("2025.03.0")
         client = RSConnectClient(RSConnectServer(require_connect(), require_api_key()))
         installations = client.python_settings()["installations"]
@@ -1640,21 +1641,24 @@ def test_deploy_api_with_python_override(self, tmp_path):
             pytest.skip("Connect needs a publishable Python >= 3.8 with a nonzero patch")
 
         major, minor, patch = max(candidates)
-        version = f"{major}.{minor}.{patch}"
+        version = f"{major}.{minor}" if minor_only else f"{major}.{minor}.{patch}"
 
         source = get_api_path("flask")
-        shutil.copy(join(source, "app.py"), tmp_path)
+        (tmp_path / "app.py").write_text(
+            "import sys\n"
+            "from flask import Flask\n"
+            f"assert sys.version_info[:3] == ({major}, {minor}, {patch}), sys.version\n"
+            "app = Flask(__name__)\n"
+            "@app.route('/ping')\n"
+            "def ping():\n"
+            "    return 'ok'\n"
+        )
         shutil.copy(join(source, "requirements.txt"), tmp_path)
         args = self.create_deploy_args("api", str(tmp_path))
         args.extend(["--entrypoint", "app:app", "--exclude-renv", "--override-python-version", version])
         result = CliRunner().invoke(cli, args)
         assert result.exit_code == 0, result.output
 
-    def test_deploy_api_rejects_minor_python_override(self, tmp_path):
-        result = CliRunner().invoke(cli, ["deploy", "api", "--override-python-version", "3.11", str(tmp_path)])
-        assert result.exit_code != 0
-        assert "expected major.minor.patch" in result.output
-
     def test_deploy_api_fail_verify(self):
         target = optional_target(get_api_path("flask-bad"))
         runner = CliRunner()
@@ -2280,6 +2284,7 @@ class TestWriteManifestFramework:
     @pytest.mark.parametrize(
         "version, expected_requirement, matching, nonmatching",
         [
+            ("3.11", "==3.11.*", "3.11.15", "3.12.0"),
             ("3.11.0", "==3.11.0", "3.11.0", "3.11.15"),
             ("3.11.15", "==3.11.15", "3.11.15", "3.11.14"),
         ],
@@ -2304,16 +2309,17 @@ def test_override_python_version(self, tmp_path, version, expected_requirement,
         assert result.exit_code == 0, result.output
 
         manifest = json.loads((tmp_path / "manifest.json").read_text())
-        assert manifest["python"]["version"] == version
+        expected_version = ".".join(str(part) for part in sys.version_info[:3]) if version == "3.11" else version
+        assert manifest["python"]["version"] == expected_version
         requirement = manifest["environment"]["python"]["requires"]
         assert requirement == expected_requirement
         assert matching in SpecifierSet(requirement)
         assert nonmatching not in SpecifierSet(requirement)
 
-    def test_minor_python_override_is_rejected(self, tmp_path):
-        result = CliRunner().invoke(cli, ["write-manifest", "api", "--override-python-version", "3.11", str(tmp_path)])
+    def test_invalid_python_override_is_rejected(self, tmp_path):
+        result = CliRunner().invoke(cli, ["write-manifest", "api", "--override-python-version", "3", str(tmp_path)])
         assert result.exit_code != 0
-        assert "expected major.minor.patch" in result.output
+        assert "expected major.minor or major.minor.patch" in result.output
         assert not (tmp_path / "manifest.json").exists()
 
     def test_dangling_symlink_reports_clear_error(self, tmp_path):

From 979a270881275ab3c67f1658f90e3986c91680a1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Taylor Steinberg <taylor@steinberg.xyz>
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2026 13:52:00 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 6/8] refactor: simplify Python override version checks

---
 rsconnect/environment.py | 4 ++--
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/rsconnect/environment.py b/rsconnect/environment.py
index 89730bad..bcc8d936 100644
--- a/rsconnect/environment.py
+++ b/rsconnect/environment.py
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ def create_python_environment(
                 "The --override-python-version option is deprecated, "
                 "please use a .python-version file to force a specific interpreter version."
             )
-            suffix = ".*" if len(override_python_version.split(".")) == 2 else ""
+            suffix = ".*" if override_python_version.count(".") == 1 else ""
             if suffix:
                 logger.warning(
                     "Older Posit Connect versions without Python version constraint support will use the "
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ def create_python_environment(
         environment = cls._get_python_env_info(module_file, python, requirements_file=requirements_file)
         environment.python_version_requirement = python_version_requirement
 
-        if override_python_version and len(override_python_version.split(".")) == 3:
+        if override_python_version and override_python_version.count(".") == 2:
             # Retaing backward compatibility with old Connect versions
             # that didn't support environment.python.requires
             environment.python = override_python_version

From 5105cb219051960490345a617060c2c4d670c173 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Taylor Steinberg <taylor@steinberg.xyz>
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2026 12:18:30 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 7/8] fix: clarify Connect version boundary for Python
 overrides

---
 docs/deploying.md         | 10 +++++-----
 rsconnect/environment.py  |  2 +-
 tests/test_environment.py |  5 ++++-
 3 files changed, 10 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

diff --git a/docs/deploying.md b/docs/deploying.md
index dea7e81e..9f2d62ac 100644
--- a/docs/deploying.md
+++ b/docs/deploying.md
@@ -243,11 +243,11 @@ rsconnect deploy api --override-python-version 3.11.5 my-api/
 
 will deploy the content in `my-api` while requesting that Connect
 use Python version 3.11.5.
-On modern Connect versions, a major and minor version such as `3.11` requests
-the latest available patch release in that series. The manifest records the
-local Python version separately for compatibility. Older Connect versions that
-do not support version constraints use that local version instead, so specify a
-full version such as `3.11.5` when deploying to those servers.
+On Connect 2025.03.0 and later, a major and minor version such as `3.11`
+requests the latest available patch release in that series. The manifest records
+the local Python version separately for compatibility. Connect versions before
+2025.03.0 use that local version instead, so specify a full version such as
+`3.11.5` when deploying to those servers.
 
 > **Note**
 > The packages and package versions listed in `requirements.txt` must be
diff --git a/rsconnect/environment.py b/rsconnect/environment.py
index 2d1b80e7..f1c2e39e 100644
--- a/rsconnect/environment.py
+++ b/rsconnect/environment.py
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ def create_python_environment(
             suffix = ".*" if override_python_version.count(".") == 1 else ""
             if suffix:
                 logger.warning(
-                    "Older Posit Connect versions without Python version constraint support will use the "
+                    "Posit Connect versions before 2025.03.0 will use the "
                     "local Python version instead of the minor-only override. Specify a full patch version "
                     "for those servers."
                 )
diff --git a/tests/test_environment.py b/tests/test_environment.py
index 7f7a1f97..585367d3 100644
--- a/tests/test_environment.py
+++ b/tests/test_environment.py
@@ -1067,7 +1067,10 @@ def test_minor_python_override_warns_about_legacy_connect(self):
 
         assert result.python == ".".join(str(part) for part in sys.version_info[:3])
         assert result.python_version_requirement == "==3.8.*"
-        assert any("local Python version instead" in call.args[0] for call in mock_warning.call_args_list)
+        assert any(
+            "Posit Connect versions before 2025.03.0 will use the local Python version instead" in call.args[0]
+            for call in mock_warning.call_args_list
+        )
 
     def test_python_interpreter(self):
         current_python_version = ".".join((str(v) for v in sys.version_info[:3]))

From 454476cd047b39bbf54afb4b31f4e856734560dd Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Taylor Steinberg <taylor@steinberg.xyz>
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2026 12:29:03 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 8/8] fix: document Connect requirement for minor Python
 overrides

Drop the runtime warning about pre-2025.03.0 Connect servers, which
printed even when targeting newer servers. Document the requirement in
the --override-python-version help and the changelog instead.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 docs/CHANGELOG.md         |  4 ++++
 rsconnect/environment.py  |  6 ------
 rsconnect/main.py         | 40 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++--------
 tests/test_environment.py |  8 ++++----
 4 files changed, 40 insertions(+), 18 deletions(-)

diff --git a/docs/CHANGELOG.md b/docs/CHANGELOG.md
index 930d09ea..8abce0b2 100644
--- a/docs/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/docs/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+- `--override-python-version` with a major and minor version, such as `3.11`,
+  requests the latest Python patch release in that series instead of `3.11.0`.
+  This requires Posit Connect 2025.03.0 or later; older servers use the local
+  Python version, so pass a full version such as `3.11.5` for those. (#901)
 - Inspects activated or project virtual environments, including with `uv tool install`.
   Global installations now inspect activated environments. `rsconnect preflight` checks
   the same environment's Python version. Use `--python` to override selection. (#889)
diff --git a/rsconnect/environment.py b/rsconnect/environment.py
index f1c2e39e..fe71bd1d 100644
--- a/rsconnect/environment.py
+++ b/rsconnect/environment.py
@@ -152,12 +152,6 @@ def create_python_environment(
                 "please use a .python-version file to force a specific interpreter version."
             )
             suffix = ".*" if override_python_version.count(".") == 1 else ""
-            if suffix:
-                logger.warning(
-                    "Posit Connect versions before 2025.03.0 will use the "
-                    "local Python version instead of the minor-only override. Specify a full patch version "
-                    "for those servers."
-                )
             python_version_requirement = f"=={override_python_version}{suffix}"
 
         # with cli_feedback("Inspecting Python environment"):
diff --git a/rsconnect/main.py b/rsconnect/main.py
index e52863a8..2c1b3f7c 100644
--- a/rsconnect/main.py
+++ b/rsconnect/main.py
@@ -2144,7 +2144,10 @@ def _warn_on_ignored_requirements(directory: str, requirements_file_name: str):
 @click.option(
     "--override-python-version",
     type=validation.PYTHON_VERSION,
-    help=("An optional python version to use instead of the version from the detected environment."),
+    help=(
+        "Python version Connect should use instead of the version from the detected environment, as "
+        "major.minor.patch or major.minor. major.minor requires Posit Connect 2025.03.0 or later."
+    ),
 )
 @click.option(
     "--force-generate",
@@ -2338,7 +2341,10 @@ def deploy_notebook(
 @click.option(
     "--override-python-version",
     type=validation.PYTHON_VERSION,
-    help=("An optional python version to use instead of the version from the detected environment."),
+    help=(
+        "Python version Connect should use instead of the version from the detected environment, as "
+        "major.minor.patch or major.minor. major.minor requires Posit Connect 2025.03.0 or later."
+    ),
 )
 @click.option(
     "--force-generate",
@@ -3035,7 +3041,10 @@ def deploy_git(
 @click.option(
     "--override-python-version",
     type=validation.PYTHON_VERSION,
-    help=("An optional python version to use instead of the version from the detected environment."),
+    help=(
+        "Python version Connect should use instead of the version from the detected environment, as "
+        "major.minor.patch or major.minor. major.minor requires Posit Connect 2025.03.0 or later."
+    ),
 )
 @click.option(
     "--force-generate",
@@ -3521,7 +3530,10 @@ def generate_deploy_python(
     @click.option(
         "--override-python-version",
         type=validation.PYTHON_VERSION,
-        help=("An optional python version to use instead of the version from the detected environment."),
+        help=(
+            "Python version Connect should use instead of the version from the detected environment, as "
+            "major.minor.patch or major.minor. major.minor requires Posit Connect 2025.03.0 or later."
+        ),
     )
     @click.option(
         "--force-generate",
@@ -3899,7 +3911,10 @@ def write_manifest():
 @click.option(
     "--override-python-version",
     type=validation.PYTHON_VERSION,
-    help=("An optional python version to use instead of the version from the detected environment."),
+    help=(
+        "Python version Connect should use instead of the version from the detected environment, as "
+        "major.minor.patch or major.minor. major.minor requires Posit Connect 2025.03.0 or later."
+    ),
 )
 @click.option(
     "--force-generate",
@@ -4019,7 +4034,10 @@ def write_manifest_notebook(
 @click.option(
     "--override-python-version",
     type=validation.PYTHON_VERSION,
-    help=("An optional python version to use instead of the version from the detected environment."),
+    help=(
+        "Python version Connect should use instead of the version from the detected environment, as "
+        "major.minor.patch or major.minor. major.minor requires Posit Connect 2025.03.0 or later."
+    ),
 )
 @click.option(
     "--force-generate",
@@ -4175,7 +4193,10 @@ def write_manifest_voila(
 @click.option(
     "--override-python-version",
     type=validation.PYTHON_VERSION,
-    help=("An optional python version to use instead of the version from the detected environment."),
+    help=(
+        "Python version Connect should use instead of the version from the detected environment, as "
+        "major.minor.patch or major.minor. major.minor requires Posit Connect 2025.03.0 or later."
+    ),
 )
 @click.option(
     "--force-generate",
@@ -4597,7 +4618,10 @@ def generate_write_manifest_python(
     @click.option(
         "--override-python-version",
         type=validation.PYTHON_VERSION,
-        help=("An optional python version to use instead of the version from the detected environment."),
+        help=(
+            "Python version Connect should use instead of the version from the detected environment, as "
+            "major.minor.patch or major.minor. major.minor requires Posit Connect 2025.03.0 or later."
+        ),
     )
     @click.option(
         "--force-generate",
diff --git a/tests/test_environment.py b/tests/test_environment.py
index 585367d3..7c44b0df 100644
--- a/tests/test_environment.py
+++ b/tests/test_environment.py
@@ -1061,15 +1061,15 @@ def test_override_python_version(self):
         )
         assert result.python_version_requirement == "==3.8.1"
 
-    def test_minor_python_override_warns_about_legacy_connect(self):
+    def test_minor_python_override(self):
         with mock.patch.object(rsconnect.environment.logger, "warning") as mock_warning:
             result = Environment.create_python_environment(get_dir("pip1-no-version"), override_python_version="3.8")
 
         assert result.python == ".".join(str(part) for part in sys.version_info[:3])
         assert result.python_version_requirement == "==3.8.*"
-        assert any(
-            "Posit Connect versions before 2025.03.0 will use the local Python version instead" in call.args[0]
-            for call in mock_warning.call_args_list
+        mock_warning.assert_called_once_with(
+            "The --override-python-version option is deprecated, "
+            "please use a .python-version file to force a specific interpreter version."
         )
 
     def test_python_interpreter(self):