Learn VenvManager
Everything you need to master Python environment management
Getting Started
Get up and running with VenvManager in minutes
Download & Install
Download the installer for your platform from the download page. VenvManager requires no administrator privileges and installs to your user directory.
Install a Python Version
- •Open VenvManager and navigate to the Python tab
- •Click Install on your desired version (e.g., 3.12)
- •VenvManager downloads portable builds—no system installation required
Create a Virtual Environment
- •Go to the Environments tab
- •Enter a name and select your Python version
- •Click Create Environment
Start Using Your Environment
Click Launch to open a terminal with the environment activated
Click 🌍 Set as Global to make it available everywhere
How VenvManager Works
Understanding the architecture behind VenvManager
Shim-Based Global Environment
When you set an environment as "Global," VenvManager creates lightweight executable shims that transparently forward commands to your chosen virtual environment.
shims/
├── python.exe → <venv>/Scripts/python.exe
├── pip.exe → <venv>/Scripts/pip.exe
├── uvicorn.exe → <venv>/Scripts/uvicorn.exe
└── pytest.exe → <venv>/Scripts/pytest.exeDirect Terminal Launch
The Launch feature opens a new terminal window with a specific virtual environment pre-activated using the traditional activate script.
Perfect for project-specific work where you need isolated environments per terminal session.
Global Environment vs Launch
Choose the right approach for your workflow
Set as Global
Recommended for daily useBest for: Consistent Python across IDEs, build tools, and scripts
Launch
For project-specific workBest for: Switching between multiple projects quickly
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Global | Launch |
|---|---|---|
| Affects all terminals | ✓ | — |
| Works in IDEs & GUIs | ✓ | — |
| Survives terminal close | ✓ | — |
| Multiple envs at once | — | ✓ |
PATH Manipulation
How VenvManager manages your system PATH
How It Works
When you set a global environment, VenvManager prepends its shims directory to your PATH, ensuring its executables are found first.
Before:
C:\Windows\System32;C:\Python39;...After:
C:\Users\you\...\shims;C:\Windows\System32;...Where PATH is Modified
User environment variables (registry)
~/.zshrc or ~/.bash_profile
~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc
Verify Your Setup
Check which Python is active:
# Windows (PowerShell)
(Get-Command python).Source
# macOS/Linux
which pythonView PATH order:
# Windows (PowerShell)
$env:PATH -split ';'
# macOS/Linux
echo $PATH | tr ':' '\n'Supported Terminals
Terminal support for the Launch feature
Windows
- Command Prompt
- PowerShell
- Windows Terminal
macOS
- Terminal.app
- iTerm2
Linux
- GNOME Terminal
- Konsole (KDE)
- Alacritty, Kitty, XTerm
Note: The Global Environment feature works with any terminal or application—not just those listed above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions
General
Do I need administrator privileges?
No. VenvManager installs to your user directory and modifies only user-level environment variables.
Where does VenvManager store data?
Windows: %LOCALAPPDATA%\venvmanager\
macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/venvmanager/
Linux: ~/.local/share/venvmanager/
Can I use it alongside system Python?
Yes. VenvManager doesn't modify existing installations. Your system Python remains accessible.
Global Environment
My terminal doesn't show the global environment
Open a new terminal window—changes don't affect already-open sessions. On macOS/Linux, you may need to run source ~/.zshrc.
How do I switch or remove the global environment?
Click Set as Global on a different environment to switch. Go to Settings → Unset Global Environment to remove.
Why "command not found" for installed tools?
Click Rehash in the GUI to update shims after installing new packages via command line.
Launch
Launch opens the wrong terminal
Go to Settings and select your preferred terminal from the dropdown.
Can I run multiple environments at once?
Yes! Each Launch opens a separate terminal window with its own environment.
Compatibility
Using VenvManager with other Python tools
pyenv
Generally compatible. Both use shims—the tool first in PATH takes precedence.
Recommendation: Use one tool for global Python management.
Conda
Compatible with care. Activated Conda environments take precedence.
Tip: Disable auto-activate with conda config --set auto_activate_base false
Poetry
Fully compatible. Poetry uses the Python in PATH—VenvManager's global works seamlessly.
pipenv
Fully compatible. Similar to Poetry, uses the Python found in PATH.
Best Practices
- 1.Choose a primary tool for global Python management
- 2.Use Launch for project-specific work to avoid PATH conflicts
- 3.Don't mix activation methods simultaneously
Troubleshooting
Solutions to common issues
Python from wrong environment
- 1.Verify which Python: run (Get-Command python).Source or which python
- 2.Check Settings → shows current global environment
- 3.Open a new terminal (existing ones keep old PATH)
- 4.Check for conflicts with pyenv/conda
Commands not found after pip install
- 1.If installed via GUI: Should auto-rehash
- 2.If installed via command line: Click Rehash in GUI
- 3.Open a new terminal after rehashing
VenvManager shims not in PATH
- 1.Windows: Check User environment variables in System Properties
- 2.macOS/Linux: Check shell profile (~/.zshrc, ~/.bashrc)
- 3.Restart terminal completely (not just new tab)
Need System Python Temporarily?
Use the full path:
# Windows
C:\Python39\python.exe script.py
# macOS/Linux
/usr/bin/python3 script.py