Master Python Version Management with pythonbrew: Install, Switch, and Isolate Easily

Welcome to pythonbrew documentation

Manage Python installations in your $HOME directory.

Introduction

pythonbrew is inspired by perlbrew and rvm and automates building and installing Python versions in the user's $HOME directory.

Another derivative: pythonz.

Installation

Use the following command to download and install pythonbrew: $ curl -kL http://xrl.us/pythonbrewinstall | bash pythonbrew will be installed to ~/.pythonbrew.

Add the following line to your ~/.bashrc:

[[ -s $HOME/.pythonbrew/etc/bashrc ]] && source $HOME/.pythonbrew/etc/bashrc

On macOS, where .bashrc may not exist, create a .bash_profile and add the same line, then source it.

Set PYTHONBREW_ROOT to install pythonbrew to a custom directory:

$ export PYTHONBREW_ROOT=/path/to/pythonbrew
$ curl -kLO http://xrl.us/pythonbrewinstall
$ chmod +x pythonbrewinstall
$ ./pythonbrewinstall

System-wide (multi‑user) installation

Running the install script as root installs pythonbrew to /usr/local/pythonbrew and configures it for all users.

Non‑root users can then use pythonbrew without sudo, e.g.:

$ sudopybrew install -n -v -j2 2.7.2

Usage

General syntax: pythonbrew command [options] Install a specific Python version:

pythonbrew install 2.7.2
pythonbrew install --verbose 2.7.2
pythonbrew install --test 2.7.2
pythonbrew install --test --force 2.7.2
pythonbrew install --configure="CC=gcc_4.1" 2.7.2
pythonbrew install --no-setuptools 2.7.2
pythonbrew install http://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.7/Python-2.7.2.tgz
pythonbrew install /path/to/Python-2.7.2.tgz
pythonbrew install /path/to/Python-2.7.2
pythonbrew install 2.7.2 3.2

Make a version the default for every login:

pythonbrew switch 2.7.2
pythonbrew switch 3.2

Use a version temporarily in the current shell: pythonbrew use 2.7.2 Run a Python file with any installed version(s):

pythonbrew py test.py
pythonbrew py -v test.py
pythonbrew py -p 2.7.2 -p 3.2 test.py

List installed versions: pythonbrew list List installable versions: pythonbrew list -k Uninstall a version:

pythonbrew uninstall 2.7.2
pythonbrew uninstall 2.7.2 3.2

Clean up old source directories and archives: pythonbrew cleanup Update pythonbrew:

pythonbrew update
pythonbrew update --master
pythonbrew update --develop

Disable pythonbrew (return to the original environment): pythonbrew off Create or remove symbolic links to a Python version in your $PATH:

pythonbrew symlink
pythonbrew symlink -p 2.7.2
pythonbrew symlink pip
pythonbrew symlink -r
pythonbrew symlink -v foo

Run buildout with the current or a specific Python version:

pythonbrew buildout
pythonbrew buildout -p 2.6.6

Create isolated Python environments using virtualenv:

pythonbrew venv init
pythonbrew venv create proj
pythonbrew venv list
pythonbrew venv use proj
pythonbrew venv delete proj
pythonbrew venv rename proj proj2

Show pythonbrew version:

pythonbrew version

Commands

install <version> – Build and install a specific Python version with setuptools and pip.

switch <version> – Permanently set a specific Python version as the default.

use <version> – Use a specific version in the current shell.

py <python file> – Run a Python file with all or a specified version.

list – List all installed Python versions.

list -k – List all installable Python versions.

uninstall <version> – Remove a specific Python version.

cleanup – Remove outdated source directories and archives.

update – Upgrade pythonbrew to the latest version.

off – Disable pythonbrew and revert to the original environment.

symlink – Create or remove symbolic links to a Python version in $PATH.

buildout – Run buildout with the current or a specific Python version.

venv – Manage isolated Python environments via virtualenv.

version – Show the pythonbrew version.

For more details, run:

$ pythonbrew help <command>

Related documents and links

Python virtual environments and multi‑version development tools – Virtualenv and pythonbrew.

pythonbrew – Quickly switch between different Python versions.

License

MIT Open Source License

Copyright (c) <2010-2012> <utahta>

Anyone may freely use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the software and its documentation, provided the following conditions are met:

The copyright and permission notice must be included in all copies or substantial portions of the software.