My Python notes — pyenv and pyenv-virtualenv

Set your Python virtual environment so you will not get into pip dependency mess.

For each major projects you do, create it’s own environment.

1. Virtual envinroment

Install pyenv and pyenv-virtualenv plugin

• pyenv is used for having multiple Python versions on one computer
• pyenv-virtualenv is used for having multiple Python environments.

brew install pyenv
brew install openssl readline sqlite3 xz zlib
brew install pyenv-virtualenv

2. Add pyenv to your shell

into file ~/.zshrc or ~/.bash_profile depending on your shell

export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"
export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"
eval "$(pyenv init --path)"
eval "$(pyenv init -)"

restart your shell.

3. Install Python versions you need

Before installing this, you have only default system Python from your MacOS. Do not install Python via brew or via www.python.org

See which versions of Python are avaiable

pyenv install --list

and install the Python version you like

pyenv install 3.12.11
python --version          # check the version of Python, should be 3.12.11

This will install Python version 3.12.11 (into directory $HOME/.pyenv/versions), you can install any version you need or even more of them using the same command.

4. Set global or local version

pyenv global 3.12.11        # default for all shells
pyenv local 3.12.11         # in a specific project folder, can be different version

5. Create virtual envinroment

Create virtual envinroment testenv1

#pyenv virtualenv <python_version> <environment_name>
pyenv virtualenv 3.12.11 testenv1

This will create new envonroment called testenv1 in Python version 3.12.11, which we have instaled in the directory $HOME/.pyenv/versions/3.12.11/testenv1

For deleting testenv1 use the command

#pyenv uninstall <environment_name or python version>
pyenv uninstall testenv1

6. Activate virtual envinroment

#pyenv activate <environment_name>
pyenv activate testenv1

This will activate the envinroment.

For deactivating use

pyenv deactivate

7. Listing what you have installed

This command will show all Python versions and envs you have installed

pyenv versions

Examle output:

example