Back to all fixes
CuratedPython 3.12Linuxlocal
pip: 'error: externally-managed-environment'
Problem
On newer Linux/macOS Python, `pip install x` refuses with 'externally-managed-environment' (PEP 668).
Solution
python
Don't install into the system Python. Create and use a virtual environment: `python3 -m venv .venv && source .venv/bin/activate && pip install x`. For standalone CLI tools, use `pipx install x`. Only as a deliberate, scoped escape hatch should you pass `--break-system-packages`.