exenv

Display a list of installed versions

$ exenv versions

$ exenv global [version]

$ exenv local [version]

$ exenv [version]

$ exenv install [version]

exenv [command] [arg1 [arg2 ...]]
exenv -v | --version | -h | --help

install version
    Download and install specified Elixir version (e.g., 1.15.0)

uninstall version
    Remove installed Elixir version

list [-k|-r]
    List all available (-r remote) or known (-k) Elixir versions

versions [--bare|--plain]
    Show installed Elixir versions (current marked with *)

version [VERSION|-]
    Display or set local/global Elixir version

local [VERSION|-d|-u|-c]
    Set or unset project-local Elixir version (.exenv-version file)

global [VERSION|-d|-u]
    Set or unset user-wide default Elixir version

shell [VERSION]
    Temporarily set Elixir version for current shell session

rehash
    Regenerate exenv shims after installing executables

which command
    Locate exenv shim path for command

whence [-p] command
    List all exenv shims matching command (-p system paths)

-v, --version
    Display exenv version

-h, --help
    Show exenv help

exenv is a lightweight command-line tool for managing multiple Elixir versions on Unix-like systems, including Linux. Inspired by rbenv and pyenv, it enables developers to install, switch, and run different Elixir releases without conflicting system-wide installations.

exenv works by inserting a set of shims into your PATH, which transparently delegate to the selected Elixir version. Use exenv install to download and compile Elixir from source (requires Erlang/OTP). Commands like exenv global, local, and shell set versions at project, user, or session levels. After installing packages, run exenv rehash to update shims.

It supports over 100 Elixir versions, lists remote/local installs, and integrates with Hex and Mix seamlessly. Ideal for teams or multi-project workflows, exenv avoids root privileges and Docker overhead. Setup involves cloning the repo to ~/.exenv, adding to shell profile, and restarting the terminal.

Requires Git, build essentials (gcc, make), and Erlang/OTP pre-installed. Compiles from source (time/memory intensive). Modifies PATH and shell init files. Not compatible with asdf-vm. Use ~/.exenv/versions backed up before upgrades.

git clone https://github.com/uhub/exaenv.git ~/.exenv && echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.exenv/bin:$PATH"; eval "$(exenv init -)"' >> ~/.bashrc
Requires Erlang via kerl or asdf.

exenv inserts ~/.exenv/shims into PATH. Executables like elixir resolve to version-specific binaries via exenv exec.

.exenv-version for local dirs; $EXENV_ROOT/version for global. Priority: shell > local > global.

exenv started in 2015 as a rbenv port for Elixir by @mhanberg, evolving from kiex limitations. Maintained by @uhub since 2016, it gained OTP integration and stable releases. Widely used in Elixir community for reproducible builds; v2.0+ supports Elixir 1.12+ and modern OTP.

rbenv(1), pyenv(1), nvm(1), asdf(1)