How to close command window after batch script completion

Question

I have created a batch script to run my python script which needs to be run in a virtual environment. I have added 'exit' to the end of my batch scrip but the command window stays open. My script is below:

@echo off
cmd /k "C:\Users\user\Documents\venv\Scripts\activate & C:\Users\user\Document\forward_test.py"
exit

I think it has something to do with how I am activating the environment but I am not very experienced with batch script. Does anyone know what's going on here?

Answer 1

From the output of cmd /? :

/C      Carries out the command specified by string and then terminates
/K      Carries out the command specified by string but remains

Because of the /k in your command, the new window is opening, running your environment and python scripts, and then staying open. If you change the /k to /c , the window will close once the python script has terminated.

Answer 2

You are already running in cmd.exe, because you've invoked a batch file. Therefore all you need is to activate your environment and run your python script:

@Call "%UserProfile%\Documents\venv\Scripts\activate.bat"
@"P:\ath\To\python.exe" "%UserProfile%\Document\forward_test.py"

Please note, that you will need to insert the correct location for your python.exe , (or py.exe if you have and prefer it) , I used your provided paths for acivate and forward_test , please make sure that you use the correct ones, (as it looks like you may have submitted code with one or more typos) .

Additionally, if the python script runs something in the background, (doesn't output to the console and takes a while) , you may wish to change your second line to:

@Start "" "P:\ath\To\python.exe" "%UserProfile%\Document\forward_test.py"