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pyEnv - Python Version Manager

pyenv is a command-line tool that helps you manage multiple Python versions easily.
It allows you to switch between different Python versions without modifying system settings.

Install pyenv

macOS

brew update
brew install pyenv

Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

sudo apt update; sudo apt install -y make build-essential libssl-dev zlib1g-dev \
libbz2-dev libreadline-dev libsqlite3-dev wget curl llvm libncurses5-dev libncursesw5-dev \
xz-utils tk-dev libffi-dev liblzma-dev python3-openssl git

curl https://pyenv.run | bash

Configure your shell

Add pyenv to your shell environment:

Bash

echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.pyenv/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bash_profile
echo 'eval "$(pyenv init --path)"' >> ~/.bash_profile
echo 'eval "$(pyenv init -)"' >> ~/.bash_profile
source ~/.bash_profile  # Reload the shell

Zsh

echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.pyenv/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
echo 'eval "$(pyenv init --path)"' >> ~/.zshrc
echo 'eval "$(pyenv init -)"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc  # Reload the shell

Install Python Versions

List available versions:

pyenv install --list

Install a specific version:

pyenv install 3.13.7

Set Python Versions

Global Version

pyenv global 3.13.7

Local Version (per project)

pyenv local 3.13.7

Shell Version (current terminal session)

pyenv shell 3.13.7

Verify Installation

Check the current pyenv version:

pyenv version

Check the Python version:

python --version

Example output:

Python 3.13.7

Using pyenv with Virtual Environments

Install pyenv-virtualenv plugin for isolated environments:

brew install pyenv-virtualenv

Enable the plugin:

eval "$(pyenv virtualenv-init -)"

Create a virtual environment:

pyenv virtualenv 3.13.7 myenv

Activate the virtual environment:

pyenv activate myenv

Deactivate:

pyenv deactivate

Troubleshooting

Problem: Python not switching correctly

Solution:

pyenv rehash

Make sure pyenv paths are correctly set in your shell initialization file.

References