pyenv

List available Python versions

$ pyenv install --list

$ pyenv install [3.12.0]

$ pyenv versions

$ pyenv global [3.12.0]

$ pyenv local [3.11.0]

$ pyenv shell [3.10.0]

$ pyenv shell --unset

$ pyenv version

$ pyenv uninstall [3.9.0]

$ pyenv rehash

pyenv command [args]

pyenv manages multiple Python installations on a single system. It allows installing different Python versions and switching between them per-project, per-shell, or globally.
pyenv works by inserting a directory of shims into PATH. These shims intercept Python commands and redirect them to the appropriate Python version based on configuration hierarchy: shell > local > global.
The tool is essential for developers who need to test code against multiple Python versions or work on projects requiring different Python versions.

install version

Install a Python version.

Remove a Python version.

List installed versions.

Show current active version.

Set default version.

Set version for current directory.

Set version for current shell.

Rebuild shim executables.

Show full path of command.

Configure shell for pyenv.

Show pyenv installation root.

Requires shell initialization in profile (~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc). Installing Python versions requires build dependencies. pyenv-virtualenv plugin needed for virtualenv integration. Some packages may need version-specific compilation.

pyenv was created by Yuu Yamashita (yyuu) in 2012, inspired by rbenv for Ruby. It addressed the common problem of managing multiple Python versions on development machines. The project has grown to include plugins for virtualenv management and became a standard tool in the Python ecosystem.

python(1), pip(1), virtualenv(1), rbenv(1)