How to Use `venv` in Python 3.12

This story simply explains how to use venv in Python 3.12 (precisely speaking, Python 3.7 or later).

Environment

• Python 3.12.1

Actions

0: Go to the directory where you want to set up venv

cd <path/to/dir>

1: Create a new environment

.venv is a directory to store everything about the virtual environment. The name can be anything, but I personally prefer using .venv.

python -v venv .venv

2: Activate the environment

Mac OS and Windows have different commands.

# Mac OS
source .venv/bin/activate

# Windows PowerShell
.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

If the environment is successfully activated, every line of the Terminal shows (.venv).

3: Use pip to install libraries

# Newly install libraries
pip install <library name>

# Install libraries using requirements.txt
pip install -r requirements.txt

# Create requirements.txt
pip freeze > requirements.txt

4: Deactivate the environment

deactivate

Actions for VSCode & Jupyter Notebook

1: Open a New Jupyter Notebook

Open a new .ipynb file and cliek “Select Kernel” on the right.

2: Click “Python Environments…”

3: Choose a Python Environment

The path to the venv environment should be shown like .venv/bin/python.

References