How to Fix the Externally-Managed-Environment Error When Using Pip？

When you use pip to install Python packages, you may encounter an ‘externally-managed-environment’ error.

Understanding the Error

The externally-managed-environment error occurs because the Python environment you’re working in is managed by an external system (like your operating system’s package manager). This means that installing or modifying packages in this environment directly with pip could potentially disrupt the system’s stability and is therefore restricted. To work around this, you can either use a virtual environment or force the installation while acknowledging the risks.

Solution 1: use a virtual environment

A virtual environment is an isolated environment that allows you to manage Python packages for a specific project without interfering with the system-wide Python environment. This is the recommended approach as it avoids conflicts and ensures that your project dependencies are self-contained.

Steps to Create and Use a Virtual Environment

1. create a virtual environment folder in your root path:

python3 -m venv ~/py_envs

This command creates a new directory ~/py_envs containing the virtual environment.

2. Activate the virtual environment:

source ~/py_envs/bin/activate

After activation, your shell prompt will change to indicate that you are now working within the virtual environment.

3. Install your desired packages using pip:

python3 -m pip install xyz

Here, xyz is the package you want to install. Since you’re in a virtual environment, this installation won’t affect your system-wide Python installation.

4. Deactivate the virtual environment when done:

deactivate

This will return you to your system’s default Python environment.

Using a virtual environment is a best practice for Python development as it allows for better dependency management and avoids conflicts with the system Python packages.

Solution 2: force install

If you need to install a package directly in the system Python environment and understand the risks involved, you can force the installation by bypassing the restriction.

Steps to Force Install with pip

1. Add the --break-system-packages option to your pip command:

pip install xyz --break-system-packages 

This command overrides the restriction and forces pip to install the package xyz in the system Python environment.

Note: Using the --break-system-packages option can potentially disrupt your system Python environment and is generally not recommended. It should be used with caution and only when absolutely necessary.

Conclusion

By following these detailed solutions, you can effectively manage the “externally-managed-environment” error and ensure smooth package installations in your Python projects.

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