# Command Reference

Like `git`, the `pyenv` command delegates to subcommands based on its
first argument. 

The most common subcommands are:

* [pyenv local](#pyenv-local)
* [pyenv global](#pyenv-global)
* [pyenv shell](#pyenv-shell)
* [pyenv versions](#pyenv-versions)
* [pyenv version](#pyenv-version)
* [pyenv rehash](#pyenv-rehash)
* [pyenv which](#pyenv-which)
* [pyenv whence](#pyenv-whence)
  


## pyenv local

Sets a local application-specific Python version by writing the version
name to a `.python-version` file in the current directory. This version
overrides the global version, and can be overridden itself by setting
the `PYENV_VERSION` environment variable or with the `pyenv shell`
command.

    $ pyenv local 2.7.6

When run without a version number, `pyenv local` reports the currently
configured local version. You can also unset the local version:

    $ pyenv local --unset

Previous versions of pyenv stored local version specifications in a
file named `.pyenv-version`. For backwards compatibility, pyenv will
read a local version specified in an `.pyenv-version` file, but a
`.python-version` file in the same directory will take precedence.


### pyenv local (advanced)

You can specify multiple versions as local Python at once.

Let's say if you have two versions of 2.7.6 and 3.3.3. If you prefer 2.7.6 over 3.3.3,

    $ pyenv local 2.7.6 3.3.3
    $ pyenv versions
      system
    * 2.7.6 (set by /Users/yyuu/path/to/project/.python-version)
    * 3.3.3 (set by /Users/yyuu/path/to/project/.python-version)
    $ python --version
    Python 2.7.6
    $ python2.7 --version
    Python 2.7.6
    $ python3.3 --version
    Python 3.3.3

or, if you prefer 3.3.3 over 2.7.6,

    $ pyenv local 3.3.3 2.7.6
    $ pyenv versions
      system
    * 2.7.6 (set by /Users/yyuu/path/to/project/.python-version)
    * 3.3.3 (set by /Users/yyuu/path/to/project/.python-version)
      venv27
    $ python --version
    Python 3.3.3
    $ python2.7 --version
    Python 2.7.6
    $ python3.3 --version
    Python 3.3.3


## pyenv global

Sets the global version of Python to be used in all shells by writing
the version name to the `~/.pyenv/version` file. This version can be
overridden by an application-specific `.python-version` file, or by
setting the `PYENV_VERSION` environment variable.

    $ pyenv global 2.7.6

The special version name `system` tells pyenv to use the system Python
(detected by searching your `$PATH`).

When run without a version number, `pyenv global` reports the
currently configured global version.


### pyenv global (advanced)

You can specify multiple versions as global Python at once.

Let's say if you have two versions of 2.7.6 and 3.3.3. If you prefer 2.7.6 over 3.3.3,

    $ pyenv global 2.7.6 3.3.3
    $ pyenv versions
      system
    * 2.7.6 (set by /Users/yyuu/.pyenv/version)
    * 3.3.3 (set by /Users/yyuu/.pyenv/version)
    $ python --version
    Python 2.7.6
    $ python2.7 --version
    Python 2.7.6
    $ python3.3 --version
    Python 3.3.3

or, if you prefer 3.3.3 over 2.7.6,

    $ pyenv global 3.3.3 2.7.6
    $ pyenv versions
      system
    * 2.7.6 (set by /Users/yyuu/.pyenv/version)
    * 3.3.3 (set by /Users/yyuu/.pyenv/version)
      venv27
    $ python --version
    Python 3.3.3
    $ python2.7 --version
    Python 2.7.6
    $ python3.3 --version
    Python 3.3.3


## pyenv shell

Sets a shell-specific Python version by setting the `PYENV_VERSION`
environment variable in your shell. This version overrides
application-specific versions and the global version.

    $ pyenv shell pypy-2.2.1

When run without a version number, `pyenv shell` reports the current
value of `PYENV_VERSION`. You can also unset the shell version:

    $ pyenv shell --unset

Note that you'll need pyenv's shell integration enabled (step 3 of
the installation instructions) in order to use this command. If you
prefer not to use shell integration, you may simply set the
`PYENV_VERSION` variable yourself:

    $ export PYENV_VERSION=pypy-2.2.1


### pyenv shell (advanced)

You can specify multiple versions via `PYENV_VERSION` at once.

Let's say if you have two versions of 2.7.6 and 3.3.3. If you prefer 2.7.6 over 3.3.3,

    $ pyenv shell 2.7.6 3.3.3
    $ pyenv versions
      system
    * 2.7.6 (set by PYENV_VERSION environment variable)
    * 3.3.3 (set by PYENV_VERSION environment variable)
    $ python --version
    Python 2.7.6
    $ python2.7 --version
    Python 2.7.6
    $ python3.3 --version
    Python 3.3.3

or, if you prefer 3.3.3 over 2.7.6,

    $ pyenv shell 3.3.3 2.7.6
    $ pyenv versions
      system
    * 2.7.6 (set by PYENV_VERSION environment variable)
    * 3.3.3 (set by PYENV_VERSION environment variable)
      venv27
    $ python --version
    Python 3.3.3
    $ python2.7 --version
    Python 2.7.6
    $ python3.3 --version
    Python 3.3.3


## pyenv versions

Lists all Python versions known to pyenv, and shows an asterisk next to
the currently active version.

    $ pyenv versions
      2.5.6
      2.6.8
    * 2.7.6 (set by /home/yyuu/.pyenv/version)
      3.3.3
      jython-2.5.3
      pypy-2.2.1


## pyenv version

Displays the currently active Python version, along with information on
how it was set.

    $ pyenv version
    2.7.6 (set by /home/yyuu/.pyenv/version)


## pyenv rehash

Installs shims for all Python binaries known to pyenv (i.e.,
`~/.pyenv/versions/*/bin/*`). Run this command after you install a new
version of Python, or install a package that provides binaries.

    $ pyenv rehash


## pyenv which

Displays the full path to the executable that pyenv will invoke when
you run the given command.

    $ pyenv which python3.3
    /home/yyuu/.pyenv/versions/3.3.3/bin/python3.3


## pyenv whence

Lists all Python versions with the given command installed.

    $ pyenv whence 2to3
    2.6.8
    2.7.6
    3.3.3


## pyenv install

Part of [Python-build](https://github.com/yyuu/pyenv/tree/master/plugins/python-build), this installs versions of python

    $ pyenv install 2.7.6
    $ pyenv install 2.6.8
    $ pyenv versions
      system
      2.6.8
    * 2.7.6 (set by /home/yyuu/.pyenv/version)


## pyenv install --list

List available remote versions of Python, including Anaconda, Jython, pypy, and stackless

    $ pyenv install --list