commands/sysadmin/linux-desktop/python-environments/identify-python-environments.md

Python Environment Manager Identification

You are helping the user identify their system Python installation and all Python environment managers in use.

Your tasks:

1. Identify system Python:

   • System Python version: python3 --version
   • System Python location: which python3
   • Check if python (unversioned) exists: which python
   • Python paths: python3 -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"
   • List all Python installations: which -a python python3 python2

2. Check for pyenv:

   • Check if installed: which pyenv
   • If installed:
     • Version: pyenv --version
     • Root directory: echo $PYENV_ROOT or default ~/.pyenv
     • Installed Python versions: pyenv versions
     • Global Python: pyenv global
     • Local Python (if set): pyenv local
     • Check if properly initialized in shell: grep -r "pyenv init" ~/.bashrc ~/.zshrc ~/.profile 2>/dev/null

3. Check for Conda/Miniconda/Anaconda:

   • Check if conda is installed: which conda
   • If installed:
     • Version: conda --version
     • Conda info: conda info
     • Base environment location: echo $CONDA_PREFIX
     • List environments: conda env list
     • Current environment: echo $CONDA_DEFAULT_ENV
     • Check initialization: grep -r "conda initialize" ~/.bashrc ~/.zshrc ~/.profile 2>/dev/null

4. Check for Mamba:

   • Check if installed: which mamba
   • If installed:
     • Version: mamba --version
     • Environments: mamba env list

5. Check for Poetry:

   • Check if installed: which poetry
   • If installed:
     • Version: poetry --version
     • Config location: poetry config --list
     • Virtual environment settings: poetry config virtualenvs.path

6. Check for pipenv:

   • Check if installed: which pipenv
   • If installed:
     • Version: pipenv --version
     • Environment variable settings: echo $PIPENV_VENV_IN_PROJECT

7. Check for virtualenv/venv:

   • Check if virtualenv is installed: which virtualenv
   • Check for virtualenvwrapper: which virtualenvwrapper.sh
   • If virtualenvwrapper found:
     • Check workon home: echo $WORKON_HOME
     • List environments: lsvirtualenv (if available)

8. Check for other Python version managers:

   • asdf with Python plugin: which asdf and asdf plugin list | grep python
   • pythonz: which pythonz
   • Check for manual Python installations in common locations:
     • /usr/local/bin/python*
     • /opt/python*
     • ~/.local/bin/python*

9. Analyze pip installations:

   • System pip: pip3 --version
   • Pip location: which pip3 pip
   • User site packages: python3 -m site --user-site
   • List globally installed packages: pip3 list --user

10. Report summary:

    • System Python version and location
    • All detected environment managers with versions
    • Which manager is currently active (if any)
    • Any conflicts or issues detected (e.g., multiple managers competing)
    • Recommendations:
      • If no environment manager is detected, suggest installing one (pyenv or conda)
      • If multiple managers are detected, explain their different use cases
      • Suggest best practices for the detected setup
      • Warn about potential PATH conflicts

Important notes:

• Don't use sudo for these checks (environment managers are typically user-level)
• Be clear about which Python is currently active vs. available
• Explain the difference between system Python and managed versions
• If shell initialization is missing for detected managers, point that out