diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5aa1658..23fc4d8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -57,6 +57,9 @@ pyrepl.setup({
   preferred_kernel = "python3",
   -- automatically prompt to convert notebook files into python scripts
   jupytext_hook = true,
+  -- auto-install missing runtime packages on `:PyreplOpen`
+  -- set to "pip" or "uv" to enable; false to disable
+  auto_install = false,
 })
 
 -- repl ui-related commands
@@ -86,6 +89,13 @@ Then install REPL runtime packages with `uv` or `pip` directly from Neovim:
 :PyreplInstall uv
 ```
 
+Alternatively, enable `auto_install` to have pyrepl silently install missing packages
+on `:PyreplOpen`:
+
+```lua
+require("pyrepl").setup({ auto_install = "uv" }) -- or "pip"
+```
+
 To use jupytext integration, make sure jupytext is available in Neovim:
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/doc/pyrepl.txt b/doc/pyrepl.txt
index 1e71c6c..2a4236b 100644
--- a/doc/pyrepl.txt
+++ b/doc/pyrepl.txt
@@ -62,6 +62,9 @@ Minimal `vim.pack` setup with the default config and example keymaps:
     preferred_kernel = "python3",
     -- automatically prompt to convert notebook files into python scripts
     jupytext_hook = true,
+    -- auto-install missing runtime packages on `:PyreplOpen`
+    -- set to "pip" or "uv" to enable; false to disable
+    auto_install = false,
   })
 
   -- repl ui-related commands
@@ -238,6 +241,7 @@ Default configuration:
     python_path = "python",
     preferred_kernel = "python3",
     jupytext_hook = true,
+    auto_install = false,
   })
 <
 
@@ -293,6 +297,9 @@ Options:
       Default: "python3".
   jupytext_hook (boolean)
       Enable jupytext hook to automatically convert notebook buffers to `py:percent`. Default: true.
+  auto_install (false | "pip" | "uv")
+      When |PyreplOpen| is invoked and required runtime packages are
+      missing, install them using the specified tool. Default: false.
 
 ==============================================================================
 TIPS & TRICKS                                                  *pyrepl-tips*
diff --git a/lua/pyrepl/config.lua b/lua/pyrepl/config.lua
index 95b9913..821535b 100644
--- a/lua/pyrepl/config.lua
+++ b/lua/pyrepl/config.lua
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ local defaults = {
     python_path = "python",
     preferred_kernel = "python3",
     jupytext_hook = true,
+    auto_install = false,
 }
 
 local image_provider_cache
diff --git a/lua/pyrepl/init.lua b/lua/pyrepl/init.lua
index c0c4ef1..643fc45 100644
--- a/lua/pyrepl/init.lua
+++ b/lua/pyrepl/init.lua
@@ -9,9 +9,10 @@ local send = require("pyrepl.send")
 
 local group = vim.api.nvim_create_augroup("Pyrepl", { clear = true })
 
----@param args table|nil
-function M.open_repl(args)
-    core.open_repl(args)
+function M.open_repl()
+    python.ensure_dependencies(function()
+        core.open_repl()
+    end)
 end
 
 function M.hide_repl()
diff --git a/lua/pyrepl/python.lua b/lua/pyrepl/python.lua
index 556c38d..a6c8198 100644
--- a/lua/pyrepl/python.lua
+++ b/lua/pyrepl/python.lua
@@ -203,4 +203,67 @@ function M.get_tool_completions(arglead)
     end, vim.tbl_keys(tools))
 end
 
+---Check if required Python packages are importable.
+---@return boolean
+function M.check_dependencies()
+    local ok, python_path = pcall(M.get_python_path)
+    if not ok then
+        return false
+    end
+
+    local obj = vim.system(
+        { python_path, "-c", "import jupyter_console, pynvim" },
+        { text = true }
+    ):wait()
+
+    return obj.code == 0
+end
+
+---Check dependencies and, if `auto_install` is set, install them silently.
+---Calls callback only after dependencies are confirmed present.
+---@param callback fun()
+function M.ensure_dependencies(callback)
+    if M.check_dependencies() then
+        callback()
+        return
+    end
+
+    local tool = config.get_state().auto_install
+    if not tool or not tools[tool] then
+        vim.notify(
+            config.get_message_prefix()
+                .. "dependencies missing, run `:PyreplInstall pip|uv` or set `auto_install`",
+            vim.log.levels.ERROR
+        )
+        return
+    end
+
+    local ok, python_path = pcall(M.get_python_path)
+    if not ok then
+        vim.notify(python_path, vim.log.levels.ERROR)
+        return
+    end
+
+    local packages_string = table.concat(packages, " ")
+    local cmd_str = tools[tool]:format(python_path) .. " " .. packages_string
+
+    vim.notify(config.get_message_prefix() .. "installing dependencies...")
+
+    vim.system(
+        { "/bin/sh", "-c", cmd_str },
+        { text = true },
+        vim.schedule_wrap(function(obj)
+            if obj.code == 0 then
+                vim.notify(config.get_message_prefix() .. "dependencies installed")
+                callback()
+            else
+                vim.notify(
+                    config.get_message_prefix() .. "installation failed\n" .. (obj.stderr or ""),
+                    vim.log.levels.ERROR
+                )
+            end
+        end)
+    )
+end
+
 return M
diff --git a/lua/pyrepl/types.lua b/lua/pyrepl/types.lua
index 47b6fa5..e856d80 100644
--- a/lua/pyrepl/types.lua
+++ b/lua/pyrepl/types.lua
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 ---@field python_path string|nil
 ---@field preferred_kernel string|nil
 ---@field jupytext_hook boolean
+---@field auto_install false | "pip" | "uv"
 
 ---Plugin setup opts (all arguments are optional).
 ---@class pyrepl.ConfigOpts
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@
 ---@field python_path? string
 ---@field preferred_kernel? string
 ---@field jupytext_hook? boolean
+---@field auto_install? false | "pip" | "uv"
 
 ---Image provider interface.
 ---@class pyrepl.Image