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Pyenv

Popular Python version management tool. Pyenv allows you to easily install and switch between multiple Python versions on the same machine.

Source: https://github.com/pyenv/pyenv

Installation in Kali

Check out Pyenv where you want it installed. A good place to choose is $HOME/.pyenv (but you can install it somewhere else):

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git clone https://github.com/pyenv/pyenv.git ~/.pyenv

Optionally, try to compile a dynamic Bash extension to speed up Pyenv. Don't worry if it fails; Pyenv will still work normally:

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cd ~/.pyenv && src/configure && make -C src

Define environment variable PYENV_ROOT to point to the path where Pyenv will store its data. $HOME/.pyenv is the default. If you installed Pyenv via Git checkout, set it to the same location where you cloned it.

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echo 'export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"' >> ~/.zshrc

Add the pyenv executable to your PATH if it's not already there:

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echo 'command -v pyenv >/dev/null || export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc

Run eval "$(pyenv init -)" to install pyenv into your shell as a shell function, enable shims, and enable autocompletion:

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echo 'eval "$(pyenv init -)"' >> ~/.zshrc

Then, if you have ~/.profile, ~/.bash_profile, or ~/.bash_login, add the commands there as well. If you have none of these, add them to ~/.profile. No need in this case, where we have ~/.zshrc.

If you wish to get Pyenv in noninteractive login shells as well, also add the commands to ~/.zprofile or ~/.zlogin.

Basic Usage

Install the desired Python versions using pyenv:

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pyenv install 3.9.0

See installed versions:

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pyenv versions

Set global Python version:

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pyenv global 2.7.18

Managing Different Python Versions for Different Applications

Set a Local Python Version for a Specific Application

To ensure a specific application runs with Python 3.10.6, navigate to its directory and set a local Python version:

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cd /path/to/application
pyenv local 3.10.6
pyenv rehash

Running the Application with the Correct Python Version

Pyenv automatically applies the correct Python version when a local version is set. However, you can explicitly specify it if needed:

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PYENV_VERSION=3.10.6 python script.py

Modify your .zshrc or .bashrc file:

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sudo nano ~/.zshrc  # or ~/.bashrc

Add the following function at the bottom:

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# Wrapper for running Python applications with the correct version
run_app() {
  echo "Launching application with Python 3.10.6..."
  (cd /path/to/application && exec python "$@")
}

Apply the changes:

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source ~/.zshrc  # or source ~/.bashrc

Now, both general Python usage and application-specific Python versions will work seamlessly.

Last update: 2025-02-23
Created: March 29, 2024 16:39:34