pip

In Python, pip is the default package installer and dependency manager. It allows you to install and manage additional libraries and dependencies that aren’t part of the Python standard library.

When you want to use a package that’s not included with Python, pip downloads and installs it from the Python Package Index (PyPI).

The name “pip” is commonly understood to be a recursive acronym for “pip installs packages,” though some suggest it was simply chosen because it’s a short, memorable word. Originally released in 2008, pip replaced the older easy_install as Python’s primary package installation tool.

Basic usage involves commands like:

  • pip install <package_name> - Installs a package
  • pip uninstall <package_name> - Removes a package
  • pip list - Shows installed packages
  • pip freeze - Outputs installed packages in requirements format

Additionally, pip can handle the installation of packages listed in a requirements.txt file, which is particularly useful for sharing project dependencies in a collaborative environment.

Pip is typically included with Python installations from version 3.4+ but can be installed separately if needed. It integrates with virtual environments and supports installing packages from various sources including PyPI, version control systems, local directories, and wheels.

Example

Here’s how you can use pip to install a package from PyPI. Say you want to install the popular requests library, which is used for making HTTP requests:

Shell 
$ pip install requests

In this command, pip fetches the requests package from PyPI and installs it in your Python environment. You can then import the package in your code and use it as demonstrated:

Python 
>>> import requests
>>> response = requests.get('https://api.github.com')
>>> response.status_code
200

In this example, you import the requests and make a GET request to the GitHub API. You get a status code of 200, meaning that the API is available.

Using Python's pip to Manage Your Projects' Dependencies

Tutorial

Using Python's pip to Manage Your Projects' Dependencies

What is pip? In this beginner-friendly tutorial, you'll learn how to use pip, the standard package manager for Python, so that you can install and manage packages that aren't part of the Python standard library.

basics tools

For additional information on related topics, take a look at the following resources:

By Leodanis Pozo Ramos • Updated Jan. 2, 2025 • Reviewed by Dan Bader
Python Glossary Share Feedback