---
name: Pyvene Interventions
slug: pyvene-interventions
category: AI Engineering
description: "Performs causal interventions on PyTorch models using pyvene's declarative framework, enabling causal tracing, activation patching, and interchange intervention training to test causal hypotheses about model behavior."
github: "https://github.com/Orchestra-Research/AI-Research-SKILLs/tree/main/04-mechanistic-interpretability/pyvene"
language: TeX
stars: 11199
forks: 821
install: "git clone https://github.com/Orchestra-Research/AI-Research-SKILLs"
added: 2026-07-19T06:53:43.388Z
last_synced: 2026-07-29T06:36:30.994Z
canonical_url: "https://dirskills.com/skills/pyvene-interventions"
---

# Pyvene Interventions

Performs causal interventions on PyTorch models using pyvene's declarative framework, enabling causal tracing, activation patching, and interchange intervention training to test causal hypotheses about model behavior.

**Install:** `git clone https://github.com/Orchestra-Research/AI-Research-SKILLs`

## README

# pyvene: Causal Interventions for Neural Networks

pyvene is Stanford NLP's library for performing causal interventions on PyTorch models. It provides a declarative, dict-based framework for activation patching, causal tracing, and interchange intervention training - making intervention experiments reproducible and shareable.

**GitHub**: [stanfordnlp/pyvene](https://github.com/stanfordnlp/pyvene) (840+ stars)
**Paper**: [pyvene: A Library for Understanding and Improving PyTorch Models via Interventions](https://aclanthology.org/2024.naacl-demo.16) (NAACL 2024)

## When to Use pyvene

**Use pyvene when you need to:**
- Perform causal tracing (ROME-style localization)
- Run activation patching experiments
- Conduct interchange intervention training (IIT)
- Test causal hypotheses about model components
- Share/reproduce intervention experiments via HuggingFace
- Work with any PyTorch architecture (not just transformers)

**Consider alternatives when:**
- You need exploratory activation analysis → Use **TransformerLens**
- You want to train/analyze SAEs → Use **SAELens**
- You need remote execution on massive models → Use **nnsight**
- You want lower-level control → Use **nnsight**

## Installation

```bash
pip install pyvene
```

Standard import:
```python
import pyvene as pv
```

## Core Concepts

### IntervenableModel

The main class that wraps any PyTorch model with intervention capabilities:

```python
import pyvene as pv
from transformers import AutoModelForCausalLM, AutoTokenizer

# Load base model
model = AutoModelForCausalLM.from_pretrained("gpt2")
tokenizer = AutoTokenizer.from_pretrained("gpt2")

# Define intervention configuration
config = pv.IntervenableConfig(
    representations=[
        pv.RepresentationConfig(
            layer=8,
            component="block_output",
            intervention_type=pv.VanillaIntervention,
        )
    ]
)

# Create intervenable model
intervenable = pv.IntervenableModel(config, model)
```

### Intervention Types

| Type | Description | Use Case |
|------|-------------|----------|
| `VanillaIntervention` | Swap activations between runs | Activation patching |
| `AdditionIntervention` | Add activations to base run | Steering, ablation |
| `SubtractionIntervention` | Subtract activations | Ablation |
| `ZeroIntervention` | Zero out activations | Component knockout |
| `RotatedSpaceIntervention` | DAS trainable intervention | Causal discovery |
| `CollectIntervention` | Collect activations | Probing, analysis |

### Component Targets

```python
# Available components to intervene on
components = [
    "block_input",      # Input to transformer block
    "block_output",     # Output of transformer block
    "mlp_input",        # Input to MLP
    "mlp_output",       # Output of MLP
    "mlp_activation",   # MLP hidden activations
    "attention_input",  # Input to attention
    "attention_output", # Output of attention
    "attention_value_output",  # Attention value vectors
    "query_output",     # Query vectors
    "key_output",       # Key vectors
    "value_output",     # Value vectors
    "head_attention_value_output",  # Per-head values
]
```

## Workflow 1: Causal Tracing (ROME-style)

Locate where factual associations are stored by corrupting inputs and restoring activations.

### Step-by-Step

```python
import pyvene as pv
from transformers import AutoModelForCausalLM, AutoTokenizer
import torch

model = AutoModelForCausalLM.from_pretrained("gpt2-xl")
tokenizer = AutoTokenizer.from_pretrained("gpt2-xl")

# 1. Define clean and corrupted inputs
clean_prompt = "The Space Needle is in downtown"
corrupted_prompt = "The ##### ###### ## ## ########"  # Noise

clean_tokens = tokenizer(clean_prompt, return_tensors="pt")
corrupted_tokens = tokenizer(corrupted_prompt, return_tensors="pt")

# 2. Get clean activations (source)
with torch.no_grad():
    clean_outputs = model(**clean_tokens, output_hidden_states=True)
    clean_states = clean_outputs.hidden_states

# 3. Define restoration intervention
def run_causal_trace(layer, position):
    """Restore clean activation at specific layer and position."""
    config = pv.IntervenableConfig(
        representations=[
            pv.RepresentationConfig(
                layer=layer,
                component="block_output",
                intervention_type=pv.VanillaIntervention,
                unit="pos",
                max_number_of_units=1,
            )
        ]
    )

    intervenable = pv.IntervenableModel(config, model)

    # Run with intervention
    _, patched_outputs = intervenable(
        base=corrupted_tokens,
        sources=[clean_tokens],
        unit_locations={"sources->base": ([[[position]]], [[[position]]])},
        output_original_output=True,
    )

    # Return probability of correct token
    probs = torch.softmax(patched_outputs.logits[0, -1], dim=-1)
    seattle_token = tokenizer.encode(" Seattle")[0]
    return probs[seattle_token].item()

# 4. Sweep over layers and positions
n_layers = model.config.n_layer
seq_len = clean_tokens["input_ids"].shape[1]

results = torch.zeros(n_layers, seq_len)
for layer in range(n_layers):
    for pos in range(seq_len):
        results[layer, pos] = run_causal_trace(layer, pos)

# 5. Visualize (layer x position heatmap)
# High values indicate causal importance
```

### Checklist
- [ ] Prepare clean prompt with target factual association
- [ ] Create corrupted version (noise or counterfactual)
- [ ] Define intervention config for each (layer, position)
- [ ] Run patching sweep
- [ ] Identify causal hotspots in heatmap

## Workflow 2: Activation Patching for Circuit Analysis

Test which components are necessary for a specific behavior.

### Step-by-Step

```python
import pyvene as pv
from transformers import AutoModelForCausalLM, AutoTokenizer
import torch

model = AutoModelForCausalLM.from_pretrained("gpt2")
tokenizer = AutoTokenizer.from_pretrained("gpt2")

# IOI task setup
clean_prompt = "When John and Mary went to the store, Mary gave a bottle to"
corrupted_prompt = "When John and Mary went to the store, John gave a bottle to"

clean_tokens = tokenizer(clean_prompt, return_tensors="pt")
corrupted_tokens = tokenizer(corrupted_prompt, return_tensors="pt")

john_token = tokenizer.encode(" John")[0]
mary_token = tokenizer.encode(" Mary")[0]

def logit_diff(logits):
    """IO - S logit difference."""
    return logits[0, -1, john_token] - logits[0, -1, mary_token]

# Patch attention output at each layer
def patch_attention(layer):
    config = pv.IntervenableConfig(
        representations=[
            pv.RepresentationConfig(
                layer=layer,
                component="attention_output",
                intervention_type=pv.VanillaIntervention,
            )
        ]
    )

    intervenable = pv.IntervenableModel(config, model)

    _, patched_outputs = intervenable(
        base=corrupted_tokens,
        sources=[clean_tokens],
    )

    return logit_diff(patched_outputs.logits).item()

# Find which layers matter
results = []
for layer in range(model.config.n_layer):
    diff = patch_attention(layer)
    results.append(diff)
    print(f"Layer {layer}: logit diff = {diff:.3f}")
```

## Workflow 3: Interchange Intervention Training (IIT)

Train interventions to discover causal structure.

### Step-by-Step

```python
import pyvene as pv
from transformers import AutoModelForCausalLM
import torch

model = AutoModelForCausalLM.from_pretrained("gpt2")

# 1. Define trainable intervention
config = pv.IntervenableConfig(
    representations=[
        pv.RepresentationConfig(
            layer=6,
            component="block_output",
            intervention_type=pv.RotatedSpaceIntervention,  # Trainable
            low_rank_dimension=64,  # Learn 64-dim subspace
        )
    ]
)

intervenable = pv.IntervenableModel(config, model)

# 2. Set up training
optimizer = torch.optim.Adam(
    intervenable.get_trainable_parameters(),
    lr=1e-4
)

# 3. Training loop (simplified)
for base_input, source_input, target_output in dataloader:
    optimizer.zero_grad()

    _, outputs = intervenable(
        base=base_input,
        sources=[source_input],
    )

    loss = criterion(outputs.logits, target_output)
    loss.backward()
    optimizer.step()

# 4. Analyze learned intervention
# The rotation matrix reveals causal subspace
rotation = intervenable.interventions["layer.6.block_output"][0].rotate_layer
```

### DAS (Distributed Alignment Search)

```python
# Low-rank rotation finds interpretable subspaces
config = pv.IntervenableConfig(
    representations=[
        pv.RepresentationConfig(
            layer=8,
            component="block_output",
            intervention_type=pv.LowRankRotatedSpaceIntervention,
            low_rank_dimension=1,  # Find 1D causal direction
        )
    ]
)
```

## Workflow 4: Model Steering (Honest LLaMA)

Steer model behavior during generation.

```python
import pyvene as pv
from transformers import AutoModelForCausalLM, AutoTokenizer

model = AutoModelForCausalLM.from_pretrained("meta-llama/Llama-2-7b-hf")
tokenizer = AutoTokenizer.from_pretrained("meta-llama/Llama-2-7b-hf")

# Load pre-trained steering intervention
intervenable = pv.IntervenableModel.load(
    "zhengxuanzenwu/intervenable_honest_llama2_chat_7B",
    model=model,
)

# Generate with steering
prompt = "Is the earth flat?"
inputs = tokenizer(prompt, return_tensors="pt")

# Intervention applied during generation
outputs = intervenable.generate(
    inputs,
    max_new_tokens=100,
    do_sample=False,
)

print(tokenizer.decode(outputs[0]))
```

## Saving and Sharing Interventions

```python
# Save locally
intervenable.save("./my_intervention")

# Load from local
intervenable = pv.IntervenableModel.load(
    "./my_intervention",
    model=model,
)

# Share on HuggingFace
intervenable.save_intervention("username/my-intervention")

# Load from HuggingFace
intervenable = pv.IntervenableModel.load(
    "username/my-intervention",
    model=model,
)
```

## Common Issues & Solutions

### Issue: Wrong intervention location
```python
# WRONG: Incorrect component name
config = pv.RepresentationConfig(
    component="mlp",  # Not valid!
)

# RIGHT: Use exact component name
config = pv.RepresentationConfig(
    component="mlp_output",  # Valid
)
```

### Issue: Dimension mismatch
```python
# Ensure source and base have compatible shapes
# For position-specific interventions:
config = pv.RepresentationConfig(
    unit="pos",
    max_number_of_units=1,  # Intervene on single position
)

# Specify locations explicitly
intervenable(
    base=base_tokens,
    sources=[source_tokens],
    unit_locations={"sources->base": ([[[5]]], [[[5]]])},  # Position 5
)
```

### Issue: Memory with large models
```python
# Use gradient checkpointing
model.gradient_checkpointing_enable()

# Or intervene on fewer components
config = pv.IntervenableConfig(
    representations=[
        pv.RepresentationConfig(
            layer=8,  # Single layer instead of all
            component="block_output",
        )
    ]
)
```

### Issue: LoRA integration
```python
# pyvene v0.1.8+ supports LoRAs as interventions
config = pv.RepresentationConfig(
    intervention_type=pv.LoRAIntervention,
    low_rank_dimension=16,
)
```

## Key Classes Reference

| Class | Purpose |
|-------|---------|
| `IntervenableModel` | Main wrapper for interventions |
| `IntervenableConfig` | Configuration container |
| `RepresentationConfig` | Single intervention specification |
| `VanillaIntervention` | Activation swapping |
| `RotatedSpaceIntervention` | Trainable DAS intervention |
| `CollectIntervention` | Activation collection |

## Supported Models

pyvene works with any PyTorch model. Tested on:
- GPT-2 (all sizes)
- LLaMA / LLaMA-2
- Pythia
- Mistral / Mixtral
- OPT
- BLIP (vision-language)
- ESM (protein models)
- Mamba (state space)

## Reference Documentation

For detailed API documentation, tutorials, and advanced usage, see the `references/` folder:

| File | Contents |
|------|----------|
| [references/README.md](references/README.md) | Overview and quick start guide |
| [references/api.md](references/api.md) | Complete API reference for IntervenableModel, intervention types, configurations |
| [references/tutorials.md](references/tutorials.md) | Step-by-step tutorials for causal tracing, activation patching, DAS |

## External Resources

### Tutorials
- [pyvene 101](https://stanfordnlp.github.io/pyvene/tutorials/pyvene_101.html)
- [Causal Tracing Tutorial](https://stanfordnlp.github.io/pyvene/tutorials/advanced_tutorials/Causal_Tracing.html)
- [IOI Circuit Replication](https://stanfordnlp.github.io/pyvene/tutorials/advanced_tutorials/IOI_Replication.html)
- [DAS Introduction](https://stanfordnlp.github.io/pyvene/tutorials/advanced_tutorials/DAS_Main_Introduction.html)

### Papers
- [Locating and Editing Factual Associations in GPT](https://arxiv.org/abs/2202.05262) - Meng et al. (2022)
- [Inference-Time Intervention](https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.03341) - Li et al. (2023)
- [Interpretability in the Wild](https://arxiv.org/abs/2211.00593) - Wang et al. (2022)

### Official Documentation
- [Official Docs](https://stanfordnlp.github.io/pyvene/)
- [API Reference](https://stanfordnlp.github.io/pyvene/api/)

## Comparison with Other Tools

| Feature | pyvene | TransformerLens | nnsight |
|---------|--------|-----------------|---------|
| Declarative config | Yes | No | No |
| HuggingFace sharing | Yes | No | No |
| Trainable interventions | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Any PyTorch model | Yes | Transformers only | Yes |
| Remote execution | No | No | Yes (NDIF) |