Manage Python Versions and Virtualenvs with pyenv on Apple M1

Seeing this post you already know what is a virtualenv and why it is helpful to use it.

In this post, I would like to share how to install it and navigate though projects faster and easier!

Handling different Python versions with pyenv

In this case, I recommend to already use pyenv - a simple python version management tool.

Install pyenv
```
brew install pyenv
```
Install preferred Python version
```
pyenv install -v 3.10.3
```
Access all python versions:
```
cd ~/.pyenv/versions/
```

Handling virtualenv using pyenv-virtualenv

One of the best ways which I found to handle virtualenv with different versions of Python on Apple Macbook with M1 silicon is via pyenv-virtualenv.

Install pyenv-virtualenv
```
brew install pyenv-virtualenv
```
Create a virtualenv (it will always create in .pyenv/versions directory)
```
pyenv virtualenv 3.10.3 my-virtual-env-3.10.3
```
List all virtualenvs
```
pyenv virtualenvs
```
Activate virtualenv
```
pyenv activate my-virtual-env-3.10.3
```
Deactivate virtualenv
```
pyenv deactivate
```

Navigating via virtualenvs using virtualenvwrapper

Not many people are aware of this nice alternative to easily navigate through many virtualenv and python projects. I have discovered (virtualenvwrapper)[https://virtualenvwrapper.readthedocs.io/en/latest/] many years ago, and I’m still using it till today.

Install virtualenvwrapper
```
pip install virtualenvwrapper
```

Setup environment variables in your .bashrc or .zshrc

export WORKON_HOME=$HOME/.virtualenvs
export PROJECT_HOME=$HOME/Devel
export VIRTUALENVWRAPPER_PYTHON=/usr/bin/python3
export VIRTUALENVWRAPPER_VIRTUALENV=/Users/rglsk/Library/Python/3.8/bin/virtualenv
source /Users/rglsk/Library/Python/3.8/bin/virtualenvwrapper.sh

Create virtualenv (You can use any Python version from pyenv)

mkvirtualenv mkvirtualenv -p ~/.pyenv/versions/3.10.3/bin/python3 my-virtual-env-3.10.3

Activate virtualenv
```
workon my-virtual-env-3.10.3
```
Enter virtualenv and project from any location
```
cdvirtualenv
```
Deactivate virtualenv
```
deactivate
```

Summary

I know that there are other ways like conda to set up Python virtualenv (including Apple M1).

Tools I have described are working well for me. For my local development I’m using Pycharm that is having easy integration with any Python interpreter.

I would recommend testing couple of different ways to find the one you will love and use!