pyenv and Poetry: Setup Python environment without sudo

pyenv and Poetry are two tools that allow you to manage your Python environment without sudo. pyenv allows you to install multiple Python versions and switch between them. Poetry allows you to manage your dependencies and create virtual environments.

Install pyenv

Install pyenv via the official installer:

curl https://pyenv.run | bash

Add the following lines to your ~/.bashrc (or ~/.zshrc if you use zsh):

export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"
[[ -d $PYENV_ROOT/bin ]] && export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"
eval "$(pyenv init -)"

Then reload your shell:

source ~/.bashrc

1.3 Verify pyenv is working

pyenv --version

2. Install Python 3.11

2.1 Install Python 3.11

pyenv install 3.11

Note: This may take a few minutes as it compiles Python from source.

2.2 Set Python 3.11 as your default

pyenv global 3.11

2.3 Verify Python version

python --version

3. Install Poetry

3.1 Install Poetry

curl -sSL https://install.python-poetry.org | python -

3.2 Add Poetry to your PATH

Add the following to your ~/.bashrc (or ~/.zshrc):

export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"

Then reload your shell:

source ~/.bashrc

3.3 Configure Poetry to create virtual environments inside the project

poetry config virtualenvs.in-project true

This will make Poetry create a .venv folder inside your project directory instead of a global cache. Easier to manage and project-specific.

3.4 Verify Poetry is working

poetry --version

Quick Sanity Check

Run all three to confirm everything is set up correctly:

pyenv --version
python --version
poetry --version