Using Python Virtual Environments (venv)

Dev Guides / python-venv.html

Create an isolated package space per project to avoid version clashes and global installs.

💬 A virtual environment gives each project its own package room.

Installing globally causes version clashes between projects. With a venv you can install whatever version each project needs.

Create and activate

# in your project folder
python3 -m venv .venv

# activate
source .venv/bin/activate      # macOS / Linux
.venv\Scripts\activate        # Windows

# packages now install only into this environment
python -m pip install requests

Exit

deactivate

Common problems

• pip install permission error: you are installing globally. Check the venv is active (which python).
• Packages gone after reopening: the venv is not active. Confirm (.venv) appears in your prompt.

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