Quick Note on pyenv: Python Version Management Tool

included in category Notes

2023-08-12 2025-08-28 249 words 2 minutes

Contents

This is a quick note on how to use pyenv, a tool for switching between different Python versions.

List of Commands

Display the list of installed Python versions:
```
pyenv versions
```
Show the list of available Python versions for installation:
```
pyenv install --list
```
Update pyenv:
```
pyenv update
```
Install a specific version of Python:
```
pyenv install <VERSION>
```

Check (or set) the Python version active in the current session:
(based on the PYENV_VERSION environment variable)
```
pyenv shell (<VERSION>)
```
Check (or set) the Python version active in the current directory:
(based on the .python-version file value, searching up to the root directory)
```
pyenv local (<VERSION>)
```
Check (or set) the globally active Python version:
(based on the value in $(pyenv root)/version or system)
```
pyenv global (<VERSION>)
```

For the latest details, refer to the official documentation. If using Windows, install on WSL:
```
curl https://pyenv.run | bash
```
If you’re using bash, add the following to ~/.bashrc to ensure it’s loaded every time you open a shell.
Also, add it to ~/.profile, ~/.bash_profile, or ~/.bash_login for login sessions:
```
export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"
command -v pyenv >/dev/null || export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"
eval "$(pyenv init -)"
```
Load the changes:
```
source ~/.bashrc
```
Install packages necessary for Python builds.

~/.pyenv/shims is added at the beginning of $PATH.
This directory contains commands such as python, pip, etc., which are set up to select the appropriate Python version based on the active environment when executed.