Python: How To Use Pip – Basic Commands

What is Pip? pip is a tool for installing and managing Python packages.

With pip command you can install, list, upgrade (update), downgrade and uninstall Python packages.

In this post i am showing how to use pip from the command line by giving examples of the basic pip commands.

Cool Tip: How to install pip on Ubuntu, CentOS or MacOS! Read more →

Pip List

List installed packages:

$ pip freeze

Show version of the particular package:

$ pip freeze | grep <PACKAGE>

Search for a package:

$ pip search "<PACKAGE>"

List all available versions of a package:

$ pip install <PACKAGE>==

Pip Install

Install the latest version of a package:

$ pip install <PACKAGE>

Install the specific version of a package:

$ pip install <PACKAGE>==<VERSION>

Install packages from requirements.txt file:

$ pip install -r requirements.txt

Install local package:

$ pip install <DIRECTORY>

Install local package in editable mode:

$ pip install -e <DIRECTORY>

Setup.py: The <DIRECTORY> must have a setup.py file in it.

Pip Upgrade

Upgrade a package to the latest version:

$ pip install --upgrade <PACKAGE>

Upgrade/downgrade a package to the specific version:

$ pip install --upgrade <PACKAGE>==<VERSION>

Upgrade pip itself:

$ pip install --upgrade pip

Upgrade/downgrade pip itself to the specific version:

$ pip install --upgrade pip==<VERSION>

Cool Tip: Create isolated Python environments using virtualenv! Read more →

Pip Uninstall

Uninstall a package:

$ pip uninstall <PACKAGE>

Uninstall all packages:

$ pip freeze | xargs pip uninstall -y
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