commands/sysadmin/linux-desktop/installation/clis/install-pipx.md

Install pipx and Suggest Packages

You are helping the user install pipx and suggesting useful packages to install with it.

Your tasks:

1. Explain what pipx is: pipx is a tool to install and run Python applications in isolated environments. Unlike pip which installs packages globally or in the current environment, pipx creates a separate virtual environment for each application.

2. Check if pipx is already installed:

   which pipx
   pipx --version
   

   If already installed:

   pipx list
   

3. Install pipx:

   Method 1: Using apt (Ubuntu 23.04+):

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install pipx
   

   Method 2: Using pip:

   python3 -m pip install --user pipx
   python3 -m pipx ensurepath
   

   Method 3: Using Homebrew (if installed):

   brew install pipx
   

4. Ensure pipx is on PATH:

   pipx ensurepath
   

   Then restart shell or:

   source ~/.bashrc
   

5. Verify installation:

   pipx --version
   which pipx
   pipx list
   

6. Explain pipx benefits:

   • Each app in isolated environment (no dependency conflicts)
   • Easy to install/uninstall applications
   • Applications available system-wide
   • No need to activate virtual environments
   • Perfect for CLI tools
   • Automatic PATH configuration

7. Show basic pipx usage:

   • pipx install <package> - Install a package
   • pipx uninstall <package> - Uninstall a package
   • pipx list - List installed packages
   • pipx upgrade <package> - Upgrade a package
   • pipx upgrade-all - Upgrade all packages
   • pipx run <package> - Run without installing
   • pipx inject <package> <dependency> - Add dependency to app

8. Suggest essential Python CLI tools:

   Development tools:

   pipx install black          # Code formatter
   pipx install flake8         # Linter
   pipx install pylint         # Code analyzer
   pipx install mypy           # Static type checker
   pipx install isort          # Import sorter
   pipx install autopep8       # Auto formatter
   pipx install bandit         # Security linter
   

   Project management:

   pipx install poetry         # Dependency management
   pipx install pipenv         # Virtual environment manager
   pipx install cookiecutter   # Project templates
   pipx install tox            # Testing automation
   

   Productivity tools:

   pipx install httpie         # HTTP client (better than curl)
   pipx install youtube-dl     # Download videos
   pipx install yt-dlp         # youtube-dl fork (maintained)
   pipx install tldr           # Simplified man pages
   pipx install howdoi         # Code search from command line
   

   Data science & analysis:

   pipx install jupyter        # Jupyter notebooks
   pipx install jupyterlab     # JupyterLab
   pipx install datasette      # Data exploration
   pipx install csvkit         # CSV tools
   

   File & text processing:

   pipx install pdfplumber     # PDF text extraction
   pipx install pdf2image      # PDF to image converter
   pipx install rich-cli       # Rich text in terminal
   pipx install glances        # System monitoring
   

   Cloud & infrastructure:

   pipx install ansible        # Automation
   pipx install aws-cli        # AWS command line
   pipx install httpie         # API testing
   pipx install docker-compose # Docker orchestration
   

   Documentation:

   pipx install mkdocs         # Documentation generator
   pipx install sphinx         # Documentation tool
   pipx install doc8           # Documentation linter
   

   Testing & quality:

   pipx install pytest         # Testing framework
   pipx install coverage       # Code coverage
   pipx install pre-commit     # Git hooks manager
   

9. Suggest packages based on user's interests: Ask the user what they work with:

   • Web development?
   • Data science?
   • DevOps?
   • Security?
   • Content creation?

   Then suggest relevant packages.

10. Install a few essential packages: Recommend installing at minimum:

    pipx install httpie         # Better HTTP client
    pipx install tldr           # Quick command help
    pipx install black          # Python formatter (if they code)
    pipx install glances        # System monitor
    

11. Show how to use pipx run (temporary usage):

    # Run without installing
    pipx run pycowsay "Hello!"
    pipx run black --version
    
    # Useful for one-off tasks
    pipx run cookiecutter gh:audreyr/cookiecutter-pypackage
    

12. Show how to manage installations:

    List all installed apps:

    pipx list
    pipx list --verbose
    

    Upgrade specific package:

    pipx upgrade black
    

    Upgrade all packages:

    pipx upgrade-all
    

    Uninstall package:

    pipx uninstall black
    

    Reinstall package:

    pipx reinstall black
    

13. Show how to inject additional dependencies: Some apps need extra packages:

    pipx install ansible
    pipx inject ansible ansible-lint
    pipx inject ansible molecule
    

14. Configure pipx:

    Check current configuration:

    pipx environment
    

    Change installation location (if needed):

    export PIPX_HOME=~/.local/pipx
    export PIPX_BIN_DIR=~/.local/bin
    

15. Show differences between pip and pipx:

    • pip install <package> - Installs in current environment
    • pipx install <package> - Installs in isolated environment
    • Use pip for: libraries, dependencies
    • Use pipx for: CLI applications, standalone tools

16. Troubleshooting:

    Package not in PATH:

    pipx ensurepath
    source ~/.bashrc
    echo $PATH | grep .local/bin
    

    Broken installation:

    pipx reinstall <package>
    

    Clean up:

    pipx uninstall-all
    

17. Advanced usage:

    Specify Python version:

    pipx install --python python3.11 black
    

    Install from git:

    pipx install git+https://github.com/user/repo.git
    

    Install with extras:

    pipx install 'package[extra1,extra2]'
    

18. Integration with other tools:

    pre-commit integration:

    pipx install pre-commit
    pre-commit install
    

    VSCode integration:

    • Installed tools (black, flake8, mypy) are auto-detected
    • No need to install in each project

19. Maintenance commands:

    # Update pipx itself
    python3 -m pip install --user --upgrade pipx
    
    # Upgrade all installed packages
    pipx upgrade-all
    
    # List outdated packages
    pipx list --verbose | grep -A 2 "upgrade available"
    

20. Provide recommendations:

    • Use pipx for all Python CLI tools
    • Keep applications updated with pipx upgrade-all
    • Don't use pip for global installations anymore
    • Use pipx run to try packages before installing
    • Install project-specific tools (black, flake8) with pipx
    • Consider adding pipx upgrade-all to crontab
    • Keep separate from project dependencies (use venv/poetry for those)

21. Show common workflow:

    # Install essential tools
    pipx install black
    pipx install flake8
    pipx install mypy
    
    # In your project
    cd my-project
    black .
    flake8 .
    mypy .
    
    # No need to activate virtual environment!
    

Important notes:

• pipx requires Python 3.6+
• Each app gets its own virtual environment
• Apps are available system-wide after installation
• Perfect for CLI tools, not for libraries
• Keeps system Python clean
• No dependency conflicts between apps
• Must be on PATH - use pipx ensurepath
• Can coexist with pip and venv
• Use pip for project dependencies, pipx for tools
• Regular updates recommended: pipx upgrade-all