Clear an environment directory before recreating it.
Section: Create environments
Recreate an existing environment in place
bash
bash
python -m venv --clear .venvExplanation
Useful when the directory exists and you want a fresh environment in the same path.
Learn the surrounding workflow
Compare similar commands or jump into common fixes when this command is part of a bigger troubleshooting path.
Related commands
Same sheet · prioritizing Create environments
Create a .venv environment
Create a conventional project-local virtual environment.
Create with python3
Use python3 explicitly on systems where python points elsewhere.
Create with Windows py launcher
Create an environment using the Windows Python launcher.
Create with a specific Python version
Use a specific interpreter to choose the base Python version.
Create in a custom directory
Create a venv anywhere, not just in the project root.