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Q&A What is the point of pipx?

Background Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx. Main Question However, what ...

3 answers  ·  posted 1y ago by matthewsnyder‭  ·  last activity 1y ago by tripleee‭

Question python-3 package
#7: Post edited by user avatar meta user‭ · 2023-09-09T18:21:24Z (about 1 year ago)
made headings, added a comma
What is the point of pipx?
  • Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx.
  • However, what does pipx actually do that makes it such a preferred alternative to pip?
  • I checked their [docs](https://pypa.github.io/pipx/) and what I found doesn't really make sense. I don't want to write a long rebuttal, but in sum:
  • * pipx is described as a *package manager*, but package managers install files in system locations whereas pipx installs them in user locations. Also, package managers already have `python-...` packages where it makes sense.
  • * It mentions that unlike pip, it is specifically for CLI apps. But what exactly does pip not do? AFAIK executable packages just have a wrapper script in `~/.local/bin/` that calls them. This doesn't seem worth a whole program.
  • * It talks about PyPi as an "app store", which sounds weird. Yes people can and do distribute on PyPi, but there are major differences which pipx hardly closes.
  • I do see that it mentions isolating envs. I can see how it is not straightforward with pip to install each CLI app in a venv, but also make it available in PATH. So is that all pipx is, CLI apps in venv? This seems like a rather inefficient way to handle packaging (see also "static link everything").
  • Background
  • -
  • Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx.
  • Main Question
  • -
  • However, what does pipx actually do that makes it such a preferred alternative to pip?
  • Thoughts
  • -
  • I checked their [docs](https://pypa.github.io/pipx/) and what I found doesn't really make sense. In sum:
  • * pipx is described as a *package manager*, but package managers install files in system locations whereas pipx installs them in user locations. Also, package managers already have `python-...` packages where it makes sense.
  • * It mentions that unlike pip, it is specifically for CLI apps. But what exactly does pip not do? AFAIK executable packages just have a wrapper script in `~/.local/bin/` that calls them. This doesn't seem worth a whole program.
  • * It talks about PyPi as an "app store", which sounds weird. Yes, people can and do distribute on PyPi, but there are major differences which pipx hardly closes.
  • I do see that it mentions isolating envs. I can see how it is not straightforward with pip to install each CLI app in a venv, but also make it available in PATH. So is that all pipx is, CLI apps in venv? This seems like a rather inefficient way to handle packaging (see also "static link everything").
#6: Post edited by user avatar matthewsnyder‭ · 2023-08-18T02:34:46Z (about 1 year ago)
  • Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx.
  • However, what does pipx actually do that makes it such a preferred alternative to pip?
  • I checked their [docs](https://pypa.github.io/pipx/) and what I found doesn't really make sense. I don't want to write a long rebuttal, but in sum:
  • * pipx is described as a *package manager*, but package managers install files in system locations whereas pipx installs them in user locations. Also, package managers already have `python-...` packages where it makes sense.
  • * It mentions that unlike pip, it is specifically for CLI apps. But what exactly does pip not do? AFAIK executable packages just have a wrapper script in `~/.local/bin/` that calls them. This doesn't seem worth a whole program.
  • * It talks about PyPi as an "app store", which sounds weird. Yes people can and do distribute on PyPi, but there are major differences which pipx hardly closes.
  • I do see that it mentions isolating envs. I can see how it is not straightforward with pip to install each CLI app in a venv, but also make it available in PATH. So is that all pipx is, CLI apps in venv? This seems like a rather inefficient way to handle packaging (see also "static link everything).
  • Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx.
  • However, what does pipx actually do that makes it such a preferred alternative to pip?
  • I checked their [docs](https://pypa.github.io/pipx/) and what I found doesn't really make sense. I don't want to write a long rebuttal, but in sum:
  • * pipx is described as a *package manager*, but package managers install files in system locations whereas pipx installs them in user locations. Also, package managers already have `python-...` packages where it makes sense.
  • * It mentions that unlike pip, it is specifically for CLI apps. But what exactly does pip not do? AFAIK executable packages just have a wrapper script in `~/.local/bin/` that calls them. This doesn't seem worth a whole program.
  • * It talks about PyPi as an "app store", which sounds weird. Yes people can and do distribute on PyPi, but there are major differences which pipx hardly closes.
  • I do see that it mentions isolating envs. I can see how it is not straightforward with pip to install each CLI app in a venv, but also make it available in PATH. So is that all pipx is, CLI apps in venv? This seems like a rather inefficient way to handle packaging (see also "static link everything").
#5: Post edited by user avatar matthewsnyder‭ · 2023-08-18T02:33:53Z (about 1 year ago)
  • Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx.
  • However, what does pipx actually do that makes it such a preferred alternative to pip?
  • I checked their [docs](https://pypa.github.io/pipx/) and what I found doesn't really make sense. I don't want to write a long rebuttal, but in sum:
  • * pipx is described as a *package manager*, but package managers install files in system locations whereas pipx installs them in user locations. Also, package managers already have `python-...` packages where it makes sense.
  • * It mentions that unlike pip, it is specifically for CLI apps. But what exactly does pip not do? AFAIK executable packages just have a wrapper script in `~/.local/bin/` that calls them. This doesn't seem worth a whole program.
  • * It talks about PyPi as an "app store", which sounds weird. Yes people can and do distribute on PyPi, but there are major differences which pipx hardly closes.
  • I do see that it mentions isolating envs. I can see how it is not straightforward with pip to install each CLI app in a venv, but also add it to the PATH. So is that all pipx is, CLI apps in venv? This seems like a rather inefficient way to handle packaging (see also "static link everything).
  • Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx.
  • However, what does pipx actually do that makes it such a preferred alternative to pip?
  • I checked their [docs](https://pypa.github.io/pipx/) and what I found doesn't really make sense. I don't want to write a long rebuttal, but in sum:
  • * pipx is described as a *package manager*, but package managers install files in system locations whereas pipx installs them in user locations. Also, package managers already have `python-...` packages where it makes sense.
  • * It mentions that unlike pip, it is specifically for CLI apps. But what exactly does pip not do? AFAIK executable packages just have a wrapper script in `~/.local/bin/` that calls them. This doesn't seem worth a whole program.
  • * It talks about PyPi as an "app store", which sounds weird. Yes people can and do distribute on PyPi, but there are major differences which pipx hardly closes.
  • I do see that it mentions isolating envs. I can see how it is not straightforward with pip to install each CLI app in a venv, but also make it available in PATH. So is that all pipx is, CLI apps in venv? This seems like a rather inefficient way to handle packaging (see also "static link everything).
#4: Post edited by user avatar matthewsnyder‭ · 2023-08-18T02:33:16Z (about 1 year ago)
  • Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx.
  • However, what does pipx actually do that makes it such a preferred alternative to pip?
  • I checked their [docs](https://pypa.github.io/pipx/) and what I found doesn't really make sense. I don't want to write a long rebuttal, but in sum:
  • * pipx is described as a *package manager*, but package managers install files in system locations whereas pipx installs them in user locations. Also, package managers already have `python-...` packages where it makes sense.
  • * It mentions that unlike pip, it is specifically for CLI apps. But what exactly does pip not do? AFAIK executable packages just have a wrapper script in `~/.local/bin/` that calls them. This doesn't seem worth a whole program.
  • * It talks about PyPi as an "app store", which sounds weird. Yes people can and do distribute app store, but there are major differences which pipx hardly closes.
  • I do see that it mentions isolating envs. I can see how it is not straightforward with pip to install each CLI app in a venv, but also add it to the PATH. So is that all pipx is, CLI apps in venv? This seems like a rather inefficient way to handle packaging (see also "static link everything).
  • Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx.
  • However, what does pipx actually do that makes it such a preferred alternative to pip?
  • I checked their [docs](https://pypa.github.io/pipx/) and what I found doesn't really make sense. I don't want to write a long rebuttal, but in sum:
  • * pipx is described as a *package manager*, but package managers install files in system locations whereas pipx installs them in user locations. Also, package managers already have `python-...` packages where it makes sense.
  • * It mentions that unlike pip, it is specifically for CLI apps. But what exactly does pip not do? AFAIK executable packages just have a wrapper script in `~/.local/bin/` that calls them. This doesn't seem worth a whole program.
  • * It talks about PyPi as an "app store", which sounds weird. Yes people can and do distribute on PyPi, but there are major differences which pipx hardly closes.
  • I do see that it mentions isolating envs. I can see how it is not straightforward with pip to install each CLI app in a venv, but also add it to the PATH. So is that all pipx is, CLI apps in venv? This seems like a rather inefficient way to handle packaging (see also "static link everything).
#3: Post edited by user avatar matthewsnyder‭ · 2023-08-18T02:32:34Z (about 1 year ago)
  • Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx.
  • However, what does pipx actually do that makes it such a preferred alternative to pip?
  • I checked their [docs](https://pypa.github.io/pipx/) and what I found doesn't really make sense. I don't want to write a long rebuttal, but in sum:
  • * pipx is described as a *package manager*, but package managers install files in system locations whereas pipx installs them in user locations. Also, package managers already have `python-` packages where it makes sense.
  • * It mentions that unlike pip, it is specifically for CLI apps. But what exactly does pip not do? AFAIK executable packages just have a wrapper script in `~/.local/bin/` that calls them. This doesn't seem worth a whole program.
  • * It talks about PyPi as an "app store", which sounds weird. Yes people can and do distribute app store, but there are major differences which pipx hardly closes.
  • I do see that it mentions isolating envs. I can see how it is not straightforward with pip to install each CLI app in a venv, but also add it to the PATH. So is that all pipx is, CLI apps in venv? This seems like a rather inefficient way to handle packaging (see also "static link everything).
  • Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx.
  • However, what does pipx actually do that makes it such a preferred alternative to pip?
  • I checked their [docs](https://pypa.github.io/pipx/) and what I found doesn't really make sense. I don't want to write a long rebuttal, but in sum:
  • * pipx is described as a *package manager*, but package managers install files in system locations whereas pipx installs them in user locations. Also, package managers already have `python-...` packages where it makes sense.
  • * It mentions that unlike pip, it is specifically for CLI apps. But what exactly does pip not do? AFAIK executable packages just have a wrapper script in `~/.local/bin/` that calls them. This doesn't seem worth a whole program.
  • * It talks about PyPi as an "app store", which sounds weird. Yes people can and do distribute app store, but there are major differences which pipx hardly closes.
  • I do see that it mentions isolating envs. I can see how it is not straightforward with pip to install each CLI app in a venv, but also add it to the PATH. So is that all pipx is, CLI apps in venv? This seems like a rather inefficient way to handle packaging (see also "static link everything).
#2: Post edited by user avatar matthewsnyder‭ · 2023-08-18T02:32:16Z (about 1 year ago)
  • Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx.
  • However, what does pipx actually do that makes it such a preferred alternative to pip?
  • I checked their [docs](https://pypa.github.io/pipx/) and what I found doesn't really make sense. I don't want to write a long rebuttal, but in sum:
  • * pipx is described as a *package manager*, but package manager install files in system locations whereas pipx installs them in user locations. Also, package managers already have `python-` packages where it makes sense.
  • * It mentions that unlike pip, it is specifically for CLI apps. But what exactly does pip not do? AFAIK executable packages just have a wrapper script in `~/.local/bin/` that calls them. This doesn't seem worth a whole program.
  • * It talks about PyPi as an "app store", which sounds weird. Yes people can and do distribute app store, but there are major differences which pipx hardly closes.
  • I do see that it mentions isolating envs. I can see how it is not straightforward with pip to install each CLI app in a venv, but also add it to the PATH. So is that all pipx is, CLI apps in venv? This seems like a rather inefficient way to handle packaging (see also "static link everything).
  • Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx.
  • However, what does pipx actually do that makes it such a preferred alternative to pip?
  • I checked their [docs](https://pypa.github.io/pipx/) and what I found doesn't really make sense. I don't want to write a long rebuttal, but in sum:
  • * pipx is described as a *package manager*, but package managers install files in system locations whereas pipx installs them in user locations. Also, package managers already have `python-` packages where it makes sense.
  • * It mentions that unlike pip, it is specifically for CLI apps. But what exactly does pip not do? AFAIK executable packages just have a wrapper script in `~/.local/bin/` that calls them. This doesn't seem worth a whole program.
  • * It talks about PyPi as an "app store", which sounds weird. Yes people can and do distribute app store, but there are major differences which pipx hardly closes.
  • I do see that it mentions isolating envs. I can see how it is not straightforward with pip to install each CLI app in a venv, but also add it to the PATH. So is that all pipx is, CLI apps in venv? This seems like a rather inefficient way to handle packaging (see also "static link everything).
#1: Initial revision by user avatar matthewsnyder‭ · 2023-08-18T02:31:38Z (about 1 year ago)
What is the point of pipx?
Many Python programs now recommend installing with pipx, and there is a sense that you shouldn't install with pip anymore, you should use tools like pipx.

However, what does pipx actually do that makes it such a preferred alternative to pip?

I checked their [docs](https://pypa.github.io/pipx/) and what I found doesn't really make sense. I don't want to write a long rebuttal, but in sum:

* pipx is described as a *package manager*, but package manager install files in system locations whereas pipx installs them in user locations. Also, package managers already have `python-` packages where it makes sense.
* It mentions that unlike pip, it is specifically for CLI apps. But what exactly does pip not do? AFAIK executable packages just have a wrapper script in `~/.local/bin/` that calls them. This doesn't seem worth a whole program.
* It talks about PyPi as an "app store", which sounds weird. Yes people can and do distribute app store, but there are major differences which pipx hardly closes.

I do see that it mentions isolating envs. I can see how it is not straightforward with pip to install each CLI app in a venv, but also add it to the PATH. So is that all pipx is, CLI apps in venv? This seems like a rather inefficient way to handle packaging (see also "static link everything).