asdf for python is a wrapper around pyenv, it didn't "pave the way", it's an important part of asdf.

(Also I like mise better currently: https://github.com/jdx/mise)

Curious what you like about mise! I've been a strong advocate for asdf for a few years now. Aside from smooshing together tools that are often used together, but not always (direnv, make), I can't see what mise adds to the picture. And I like still having direnv for what direnv does and make for make does, rather than an all-in-one.

the asdf CLI has really sharp edges and feels kind of aggressively unhelpful.

Even if you just use mise as an asdf alternative, it has a nicer CLI and interacts with the same plugin ecosystem more smoothly.

(I've found it to be an improvement on direnv, but I still use make)

the comparison to asdf page has more: https://mise.jdx.dev/dev-tools/comparison-to-asdf.html

Damn. I'm convinced. The asdf CLI was always a bit of a pain ... mostly I don't interact with it that often. But mise seems light years better designed. Thanks!

Well that's excellent!