Managing Multiple Python Versions

The pyenv CLI tool is similar to NVM from the Javascript world. And makes it easy to manage multiple versions of python being installed on the same machine.

Installation

Installation is simple and available in most package managers, see the docs for full details https://github.com/pyenv/pyenv?tab=readme-ov-file#getting-pyenv

brew install pyenv              # MacOS - HomeBrew
curl https://pyenv.run | bash   # Unix / Automatic Installer 

# Add environment variables to your appropriate shell, and restart your terminal afterwards
echo 'export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"' >> ~/.zshrc
echo '[[ -d $PYENV_ROOT/bin ]] && export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
echo 'eval "$(pyenv init -)"' >> ~/.zshrc

Usage

Install a specific Python version

pyenv install 3.13.0

Switch Version

pyenv global 3.13.0

List all installed python versions

pyenv versions

List all installable python versions

pyenv install -l

Uninstall a Python Version

pyenv uninstall 3.13.0