Pipenv

Installation and Setup

Install from the Python Package Index (PyPI) into a virtual environment:

• Windows
• Linux + macOS

PS> py -m pip install pipenv
PS> pipenv --version

$ python -m pip install pipenv
$ pipenv --version

On Windows, Pipenv’s documentation recommends installing with pipx instead, which puts Pipenv in an isolated environment and makes the pipenv command available system-wide:

PS> py -m pip install --user pipx
PS> pipx install pipenv

Key Features

• Manages a per-project environment and dependencies with a CLI.
• Uses Pipfile for declared dependencies and Pipfile.lock for fully pinned, repeatable installs.
• Supports the PEP 751 pylock.toml standard lockfile format, generated alongside Pipfile.lock when use_pylock = true is set in the Pipfile.
• Supports arbitrary package categories beyond the default and development groups, selectable with --categories, plus export to requirements.txt format.
• Provides useful commands for security checks, dependency graphs, and environment inspection.
• Loads .env files for pipenv run and pipenv shell to supply environment variables during commands.

Usage

Create a virtual environment and specify the Python to use:

$ pipenv --python 3.14

A minimal Pipfile file:

[requires]
python_version = "3.14"

[packages]
requests = "~=2.32"

[dev-packages]
pytest = "~=8.0"

[scripts]
test = "pytest -q"

Install packages and update the lockfile:

$ pipenv install django
$ pipenv install --dev ruff pytest
$ pipenv lock

Enter the virtual environment or run a command inside it:

$ pipenv shell
$ pipenv run pytest

Recreate the environment from the lockfile on a different machine:

$ pipenv sync
$ pipenv sync --dev

Export pinned dependencies:

$ pipenv requirements > requirements.txt
$ pipenv requirements --dev > requirements-dev.txt

Related Resources

Tutorial

Pipenv: A Guide to the Python Packaging Tool

Pipenv replaces pip, virtualenv, and requirements.txt with a single tool. See what it solves and how to manage dependencies with it.

intermediate tools

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

• Working With Pipenv (Course)
• Using Python's pip to Manage Your Projects' Dependencies (Tutorial)
• Dependency Management With Python Poetry (Tutorial)
• A Beginner's Guide to pip (Course)
• Using Python's pip to Manage Your Projects' Dependencies (Quiz)
• Managing Dependencies With Python Poetry (Course)
• Dependency Management With Python Poetry (Quiz)