fix(pipx): ensure Python minor version symlink exists for postinstall hooks

e2e/backend/test_pipx_postinstall_hook

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+require_cmd python3
+
+# Test that pipx postinstall hooks can invoke the installed tool when using uvx.
+# This validates the fix for https://github.com/jdx/mise/discussions/7864
+# The bug was that uvx creates venv symlinks pointing to minor version paths
+# (e.g., python/3.12/) but the symlink didn't exist yet when postinstall ran.
+
+# Create a system pipx that always fails and push it to the front of PATH
+cat >"$HOME/bin/pipx" <<'EOF'
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+echo "CALL TO SYSTEM pipx! args: $*" >&2
+exit 1
+EOF
+chmod +x "$HOME"/bin/pipx
+export PATH="$HOME/bin:$PATH"
+
+# Just to be sure...
+assert_fail "pipx"
+
+# Use precompiled python and uvx (the default)
+export MISE_PYTHON_COMPILE=0
+export MISE_PIPX_UVX=1
+
+# Set up mise-managed Python with a pipx package that has a postinstall hook
+# The hook invokes the installed tool, which requires the Python symlink to work
+cat >.mise.toml <<EOF
+[tools]
+python = "3.12.3"
+uv = "0.5.5"
+
+[tools."pipx:mkdocs"]
+version = "1.6.0"
+postinstall = "mkdocs --version"
+EOF
+
+# Install the tools - this should succeed with the postinstall hook
+mise install
+
+# Verify mkdocs is installed and works
+assert_contains "mise x -- mkdocs --version" "1.6.0"
+
+# Verify the minor version symlink was created early (before runtime_symlinks::rebuild)
+MINOR_VERSION_DIR="$MISE_DATA_DIR/installs/python/3.12"
+if [[ -L $MINOR_VERSION_DIR ]]; then
+	ok "Minor version symlink 3.12 was created"
+elif [[ -d $MINOR_VERSION_DIR ]]; then
+	ok "Minor version directory 3.12 exists"
+else
+	fail "Minor version symlink/directory 3.12 does not exist"
+fi

src/backend/pipx.rs

@@ -512,6 +512,50 @@ fn path_with_minor_version(path: &Path) -> Option<PathBuf> {
     }
 }
 
+/// Ensure the minor version symlink exists for a Python installation path.
+/// For example, if the path is `.../python/3.12.1/bin/python3`, this ensures
+/// that `.../python/3.12` exists as a symlink to `./3.12.1`.
+///
+/// This is normally done by `runtime_symlinks::rebuild()`, but that runs after
+/// postinstall hooks. We need to create it early so that venv symlinks work
+/// immediately for postinstall hooks.
+#[cfg(unix)]
+fn ensure_minor_version_symlink(full_version_path: &Path) -> Result<()> {
+    // Extract version components from path like .../python/3.12.1/bin/python3
+    // Use same regex pattern as path_with_minor_version for consistency
+    let re = regex!(r"/python/(\d+)\.(\d+)\.(\d+)/");
+    let path_str = match full_version_path.to_str() {
+        Some(s) => s,
+        None => return Ok(()),
+    };
+
+    let caps = match re.captures(path_str) {
+        Some(c) => c,
+        None => return Ok(()),
+    };
+
+    let minor_version = format!("{}.{}", &caps[1], &caps[2]); // e.g., "3.12"
+    let full_version = format!("{}.{}.{}", &caps[1], &caps[2], &caps[3]); // e.g., "3.12.1"
+
+    let installs_dir = &*env::MISE_INSTALLS_DIR;
+    let python_installs = installs_dir.join("python");
+    let minor_version_dir = python_installs.join(&minor_version);
+    let full_version_dir = python_installs.join(&full_version);
+
+    // Only create if the minor version symlink doesn't exist but the full version does
+    if !minor_version_dir.exists() && full_version_dir.exists() {
+        trace!(
+            "Creating early minor version symlink: {:?} -> ./{:?}",
+            minor_version_dir, full_version
+        );
+        // Use relative symlink with "./" prefix like runtime_symlinks does
+        // This allows is_runtime_symlink() to identify it for cleanup/updates
+        file::make_symlink(&PathBuf::from(".").join(&full_version), &minor_version_dir)?;
+    }
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 /// Fix the venv Python symlinks to use mise's minor version path
 /// This allows patch upgrades (3.12.1 → 3.12.2) to work without reinstalling
 ///
@@ -564,18 +608,20 @@ fn fix_venv_python_symlink(install_path: &Path, pkg_name: &str) -> Result<()> {
                 continue; // Leave non-mise Python alone (homebrew, uv, etc.)
             }
 
-            if let Some(minor_path) = path_with_minor_version(&target) {
-                // The minor version symlink (e.g., python/3.12) might not exist yet
-                // as runtime_symlinks::rebuild runs after all tools are installed.
-                // Check if the full version path exists instead (e.g., python/3.12.12/bin/python3).
-                // The symlink might be temporarily broken but will work after runtime symlinks are created.
-                if target.exists() {
-                    trace!(
-                        "Updating venv Python symlink {:?} to use minor version: {:?}",
-                        symlink_path, minor_path
-                    );
-                    file::make_symlink(&minor_path, &symlink_path)?;
-                }
+            if let Some(minor_path) = path_with_minor_version(&target)
+                && target.exists()
+            {
+                // Create the minor version symlink (e.g., python/3.12 -> python/3.12.1)
+                // if it doesn't exist yet. This is normally done by runtime_symlinks::rebuild,
+                // but that runs after postinstall hooks, so we need to create it now
+                // to ensure the venv symlink works immediately for postinstall hooks.
+                ensure_minor_version_symlink(&target)?;
+
+                trace!(
+                    "Updating venv Python symlink {:?} to use minor version: {:?}",
+                    symlink_path, minor_path
+                );
+                file::make_symlink(&minor_path, &symlink_path)?;
             }
         }
     }