Create project and venv
Create a project folder and initialize a virtual environment.
bashANYbootstrapprojectvenv
bash
mkdir myapp && cd myapp && python -m venv .venvNotes
A common project-start sequence.
Python venv Project Setup Cheat Sheet
Project-level setup patterns for Python virtual environments, pyproject.toml, editable installs, dev tools, and team onboarding.
Export
Copy the compact sheet, download it, or print it.
Download
`D` dense toggle · `C` copy all
Project bootstrap
Create a local environment and prepare a project for work.
Ignore the local venv in Git
Add the environment directory to .gitignore.
gitignoreANYgitignorevenvproject
gitignore
.venv/
venv/
__pycache__/
*.pyc
Notes
You normally commit dependency files, not the environment directory itself.
Install common local tooling
Install formatter, linter, and test tooling in the venv.
bashANYtoolingblackruffpytest
bash
python -m pip install black ruff pytestNotes
A typical local developer-tool bootstrap step.
pyproject.toml patterns
Use modern Python project metadata and local installs with venv.
Minimal pyproject.toml example
Basic modern packaging metadata for a local project.
tomlANYpyprojecttomlpackaging
toml
[build-system]
requires = ["setuptools>=68", "wheel"]
build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
[project]
name = "myapp"
version = "0.1.0"
dependencies = [
"requests>=2.31",
]
Notes
A starting point for modern packaging metadata and editable installs.
Install project editable from pyproject
Install the current project into the venv in editable mode.
bashANYeditablepyprojectdevelopment
bash
python -m pip install -e .Notes
Useful for app and library development using modern metadata.
Install editable with dev extras
Install project plus optional development dependencies.
bashANYeditableextrasdev
bash
python -m pip install -e ".[dev,test]"Notes
Useful when your project defines optional dependency groups for contributors.
Team onboarding and automation
Make local setup fast and consistent for teammates.
Typical README quick-start block
Copy-paste setup commands for local onboarding.
markdownANYreadmeonboardingsetup
markdown
```bash
python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install -U pip setuptools wheel
python -m pip install -r requirements.txt
```
Notes
A good onboarding pattern for repository documentation.
Makefile setup target
Automate local environment setup for contributors.
makefileANYmakefilesetupautomation
makefile
setup:
python -m venv .venv
. .venv/bin/activate && python -m pip install -U pip setuptools wheel
. .venv/bin/activate && python -m pip install -r requirements.txt
Notes
A small quality-of-life improvement that helps teams onboard quickly.
Auto-activate with direnv + layout python
Example .envrc for shells that use direnv.
bashANYdirenvautomationshell
bash
layout python python3
Notes
An optional workflow for automatic environment handling in supported shells.
More in Python venv
Python venv Troubleshooting Cheat Sheet
Diagnose activation problems, broken pip, wrong interpreter selection, PATH confusion, and environment drift in Python virtual environments.
Python venv + pip Cheat Sheet
Package installation, requirements, editable installs, wheel workflows, and dependency troubleshooting inside Python virtual environments.
Python venv Cheat Sheet
Comprehensive Python venv reference covering creation, activation, pip usage, requirements, inspection, and recovery workflows.