pyenvvirtualenv

pyenv-virtualenv is a plugin for pyenv that allows users to create and manage virtual environments for different Python versions. It extends the functionality of pyenv, a tool for managing multiple Python installations, by integrating with the popular virtualenv tool. This integration enables users to associate specific virtual environments with specific Python versions managed by pyenv.

To use pyenv-virtualenv, you first need to have pyenv installed. Once pyenv is set up, you can install the pyenv-virtualenv plugin. After installation, you can create a new virtual environment linked to a particular Python version. For example, to create a virtual environment named 'my-env' using Python 3.9.7, you would typically use a command like 'pyenv virtualenv 3.9.7 my-env'.

Once a virtual environment is created, you can activate it. Activating a virtual environment sets the PATH and other environment variables so that the Python interpreter and installed packages within that environment are used preferentially. This isolation ensures that projects can have their own independent sets of dependencies, preventing conflicts between different projects requiring different package versions.

pyenv-virtualenv also allows you to set global or local virtual environments. A global virtual environment is active by default unless overridden by a local setting. A local virtual environment is specific to a particular directory and its subdirectories. This is often managed through a .python-version file in the project's root directory. Deactivating a virtual environment restores the previous environment settings. The plugin simplifies the process of switching between different Python environments and their associated packages.