Install python and virtualenv on a mac

Claire Furney

• 1 min read
Install python and virtualenv on a mac
Photo by David Clode / Unsplash

Always forget how I usually do this, so making a note.

See: https://docs.python-guide.org/dev/virtualenvs/

Install brew python

  1. brew install python
  2. Add brewed python to path: vi ~/.zshrc and add export PATH="$(brew --prefix)/opt/python/libexec/bin:$PATH". See this awesome SO answer for details: https://stackoverflow.com/a/51939526/1265167
  3. source ~/.zshrc
  4. python --version or which python should now point to the brewed python

Install pipenv

Decided to go with pipenv this time rather than the lower level virtualenv:

  1. pip install --user pipenv
  2. As instructed, upgrade pip: python -m pip install --upgrade pip
  3. Add pipenv to path: vi ~/.zshrc and export PATH="$(python -m site --user-base)/bin:$PATH"
  4. source ~/.zshrc
  5. pipenv should now be available

Use pipenv

  1. mkdir -p ~/Projects/Python/locust.io && cd $_ (or take ~/Projects/Python/locust.io for oh-my-zsh users)
  2. pipenv install locust - installs and creates a Pipfile in the local directory
  3. pipenv run locust -V OR pipenv shell to not have to keep typing pipenv run in front of everything (see the starship command line - whoop whoop!)
  4. Create script e.g. locustfile.py
  5. pipenv run python locustfile.py (or just plain old python locustfile.py from that shell)