Comprehensive Python venv reference covering creation, activation, pip usage, requirements, inspection, and recovery workflows.
Create project-local or named virtual environments.
python -m venv .venvCreates a virtual environment in `.venv`. The Python docs recommend `venv` for isolated project environments, and `.venv` is a common convention. On Python, `venv` creates an isolated environment based on the interpreter you invoke.
python3 -m venv .venvUseful on Linux and macOS when `python3` is the installed interpreter command.
py -m venv .venvOn Windows, `py` is often the most reliable way to target the installed Python interpreter.
Use a specific interpreter to choose the base Python version.
python3.12 -m venv .venvA virtual environment uses the version of the Python binary that created it.
python -m venv ~/venvs/myprojectUseful if you prefer to keep environments outside the repository tree.
python -m venv --without-pip .venvYou can bootstrap pip later with `ensurepip` if you intentionally create a minimal environment.
python -m venv --system-site-packages .venvBy default, venv environments are isolated. This option intentionally relaxes that isolation.
python -m venv --clear .venvUseful when the directory exists and you want a fresh environment in the same path.
Upgrade the environment after the base interpreter changed.
python -m venv --upgrade .venvUse this when the underlying Python installation was upgraded and you want the environment updated.
python -m venv --prompt myapp .venvHelpful when you manage many environments and want a clearer prompt name.
python -m venv --helpGood starting point when you want to confirm supported flags on the interpreter you have installed.
Enter and leave an environment across shells and OSes.
source .venv/bin/activateAfter activation, `python` and `pip` resolve to the environment versions until you deactivate.
. .venv/bin/activateEquivalent to `source` in POSIX-compatible shells.
source .venv/bin/activate.fishFish uses its own activation script instead of the bash one.
source .venv/bin/activate.cshUseful on systems where csh or tcsh is the active shell.
.venv\Scripts\activate.batUse this in classic Command Prompt sessions.
.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1If execution policy blocks the script, temporarily allow local scripts for the session or user before activating.
Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSignedA common fix when PowerShell refuses to run `Activate.ps1`.
deactivateReturns your shell to the base environment and resets PATH changes made by activation.
which pythonOn Windows PowerShell, use `Get-Command python` instead.
echo $VIRTUAL_ENVActivation scripts usually set `VIRTUAL_ENV` to the environment path.
Confirm interpreter paths, versions, site-packages, and config.
python --versionHelpful to confirm the active environment is using the expected interpreter version.
python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"A reliable way to verify exactly which Python binary is running.
python -c "import sys; print(sys.prefix); print(sys.base_prefix)"Inside a venv, `sys.prefix` usually points to the venv and `sys.base_prefix` to the base interpreter.
python -c "import site; print(site.getsitepackages())"Useful when debugging where packages are actually installed.
python -m pip --versionUsing `python -m pip` is safer than a plain `pip` command because it binds pip to the interpreter you chose.
python -m pip listA basic inspection command for package inventory.
python -m pip freezeOften used to produce reproducible dependency snapshots.
python -m pip show requestsUseful for checking install location, version, and dependencies.
cat .venv/pyvenv.cfgThis file records key settings like the base home interpreter path and whether system site packages are visible.
Install, upgrade, remove, sync, and snapshot packages inside venv.
python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheelA common first step after creating a fresh environment.
python -m pip install requestsWithin an activated venv, this installs only into that environment by default.
python -m pip install Django==5.1.4Use exact pins when you need deterministic app dependencies.
python -m pip install --upgrade requestsUpgrades the package and resolves dependencies according to pip rules.
python -m pip uninstall requestsUseful for cleanup and dependency debugging.
Develop a local package without reinstalling after every change.
python -m pip install -e .Common for local application and library development.
python -m pip install -r requirements.txtA standard way to set up project dependencies from source control.
python -m pip freeze > requirements.txtCreates a plain-text dependency snapshot in pip-compatible format.
python -m pip install -r requirements.txt -c constraints.txtHelpful when several apps share dependency limits.
python -m pip checkUseful when installs succeeded but runtime imports still seem wrong.
python -m pip download -r requirements.txt -d ./wheelhouseUseful for offline or controlled deployment workflows.
Delete and recreate environments cleanly when they drift.
rm -rf .venvThe simplest reset is often to delete the environment and recreate it from your requirements or lock source.
Remove-Item -Recurse -Force .venvPowerShell equivalent of deleting the whole environment folder.
rm -rf .venv && python -m venv .venv && source .venv/bin/activate && python -m pip install -U pip setuptools wheel && python -m pip install -r requirements.txtA compact rebuild flow for local development on POSIX shells.
venv:
rm -rf .venv
python -m venv .venv
. .venv/bin/activate && python -m pip install -U pip setuptools wheel
. .venv/bin/activate && python -m pip install -r requirements.txtUseful for standardizing the setup process across a team.
python -m pip install --upgrade --force-reinstall -r requirements.txtNot a perfect lock sync, but often useful when you want to refresh packages from a known file.
Recover when pip or activation breaks.
Install bundled pip into the current Python environment.
python -m ensurepip --default-pipThe Python standard library includes `ensurepip` to bootstrap pip when it is missing.
python -m ensurepip --upgradeUseful when pip is missing or inconsistent after a broken environment change.
python -m venv .venv && source .venv/bin/activate && python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheelA very common bootstrap pattern for fresh projects.
python -m pip --versionThis is safer than relying on a standalone `pip` executable that may resolve to a different Python installation.
Get-Command pythonUseful when activation appears to work but PowerShell still resolves the wrong interpreter.
where pythonHelpful when several Python installations are competing on PATH.