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Python Version Management with pyenv

Check Python Version

To display the current Python version (e.g., Python 3.12.2 or the version set with pyenv):

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python --version

List Installed Versions

To list all installed Python versions and see which one is active (marked with *):

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pyenv versions

Check Active Python Environment

To check which Python environment is currently active:

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pyenv version

Create a Python Virtual Environment

To create a new Python virtual environment (e.g., virLanggraphEnv using Python 3.12.2):

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pyenv virtualenv 3.12.2 virLanggraphEnv

Activate a Python Environment

To activate a specific Python environment (e.g., virLanggraphEnv):

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pyenv activate virLanggraphEnv

Set a Local Python Environment (.python-version)

  1. The pyenv local command sets a directory-specific Python version by creating a .python-version file in the current directory.
  2. This ensures automatic activation of the specified Python environment whenever the directory is accessed.
  3. To set a specific Python environment as the local version (e.g., virLanggraphEnv):
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pyenv local virLanggraphEnv

Uninstall a Python Environment

To uninstall a specific Python environment (e.g., virLanggraphEnv): 1. Use pyenv virtualenv-delete if you want to be explicit that you're deleting a virtualenv 2. Use pyenv uninstall as the universal command for removing anything pyenv manages 

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pyenv virtualenv-delete virLanggraphEnv
pyenv uninstall virLanggraphEnv

Locate Python and Pip

Check the Shim

The shim is a pointer to the actual pip or python binary, depending on the currently activated Python environment:

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which pip
which python

Find the Actual Path

To display the actual path to the current Python binary (not just the shim):

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pyenv which pip
pyenv which python

Example Workflow

Activate the environment and verify the pip path:

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pyenv activate virLanggraphEnv
pyenv which pip