pipx

Run an app in a temporary virtual environment

$ pipx run [pycowsay] [moo]

$ pipx install [package]

$ pipx list

$ pipx run --spec [httpx-cli] [httpx] [http://www.github.com]

$ pipx inject [package] [dependency1 dependency2 ...]

$ pipx install --pip-args='[pip-args]' [package]

$ pipx [upgrade-all|uninstall-all|reinstall-all]

pipx [arguments]

install [package_name...]
    Install one or more Python packages into isolated virtual environments.

uninstall
    Uninstall a package and its associated virtual environment.

upgrade
    Upgrade a package to the latest version.

upgrade-all
    Upgrade all installed packages to their latest versions.

run [arguments...]
    Run a command from a package that is not installed via pipx.

list
    List all installed packages and their associated virtual environments.

inject
    Inject packages into an existing pipx environment.

uninstall-all
    Uninstall all packages installed with pipx.

--python
    Specify the Python interpreter to use for the virtual environment.

--spec
    Specify a particular version or URL for installation.

--include-deps
    Include development dependencies when installing packages with CLI scripts.

--force
    Overwrite existing files or virtual environments.
(Use with caution!).

--index-url
    Base URL of Python Package Index (default https://pypi.org/simple).

--editable
    Install a package in editable mode (only applies to install command).

--system-site-packages
    Give the virtual environment access to the system site-packages dir.

pipx is a command-line tool for installing and running Python applications in isolated virtual environments. It's specifically designed to prevent dependency conflicts between different Python applications. Instead of installing applications globally (which can lead to problems), pipx creates a separate virtual environment for each application.

This makes it safe to install multiple versions of the same application or applications that have conflicting dependencies. Once an application is installed with pipx, you can easily run it from anywhere on your system, thanks to pipx automatically adding the application's executable to your PATH. It's a convenient and reliable way to manage Python-based command-line tools.

Packages installed with pipx are isolated. If an application needs to access other applications, consider using a different approach (e.g., packaging as a library). Upgrading can sometimes fail if there are conflicts or issues with the package's dependencies.
Always check the output messages for detailed information.

pipx automatically manages your PATH environment variable, making it easier to access installed applications. However, changes to PATH may require a new terminal session to take effect.

It's generally recommended to use pipx for installing applications intended for command-line use. For libraries that are imported into your Python projects, use pip within a project-specific virtual environment.

pipx was created to address the limitations of installing Python applications globally with pip, especially regarding dependency conflicts. It provides a more robust and isolated approach. It has gained popularity as a reliable method for managing command-line tools written in Python.

venv(1), virtualenv(1), pip(1)