python2025년 3월 26일3 min read

What Is pipx? From Differences with pip to Installation and Usage at a Glance

A clear summary of pipx, including how it differs from pip and how to install and use it.

FFrank Advenoh

#python#pip#pipx

Contents · 12

1. Overview
Why You Should Use pipx
Differences from pip
Key Features
2. Installing pipx and Basic Usage
2.1 Installing pipx
2.2 How to Use pipx
2.2.1 Installing a Package
2.2.2 Running a Package
2.2.3 Removing a Package
3. Conclusion
4. References

1. Overview

Why You Should Use pipx

When installing Python packages, you typically use pip, but for some CLI (application) packages, it can be more appropriate to install them globally while still running them in an isolated environment. Using pipx for this offers the following advantages.

Differences from pip

Feature	`pip`	`pipx`
Default install location	No virtual environment; system-wide or inside the project folder	Installed in isolation within an individual virtual environment
Running CLI apps	`python -m <package>` or run directly	Run directly with `pipx run <package>`
Package management	Suited for managing per-project dependencies	Suited for installing and managing global CLI tools

Key Features

Installs each package in a separate virtual environment, so it doesn't pollute the system Python environment
Lets you run CLI packages with pipx run without a separate installation
Provides a feature to update all installed packages at once
Registered to PATH

2. Installing pipx and Basic Usage

2.1 Installing pipx

On macOS, you can install it with Homebrew or with Python's pip command.

> pip install pipx

# Install with brew
> brew install pipx
> pipx ensurepath  # Configure PATH (terminal restart required)

In pipx, you can run the ensurepath command to automatically configure the environment variables. Once the environment variables are set, you need to restart the terminal or run source ~/.bashrc or source ~/.zshrc to use it immediately in the currently open shell.

2.2 How to Use pipx

2.2.1 Installing a Package

Using the pipx install <package-name> command installs the package in an isolated virtual environment.

> pipx install poetry  # Install poetry with pipx
  installed package poetry 2.1.1, installed using Python 3.13.2
  These apps are now globally available
    - poetry
done! ✨ 🌟 ✨

You can check packages installed with pipx using the list command.

> pipx list
venvs are in /Users/user/.local/pipx/venvs
apps are exposed on your $PATH at /Users/user/.local/bin
manual pages are exposed at /Users/user/.local/share/man
   package crawl4ai 0.5.0.post4, installed using Python 3.13.2
    - crawl4ai-doctor
    - crawl4ai-download-models
    - crawl4ai-migrate
    - crawl4ai-setup
    - crwl
   package httpie 3.2.4, installed using Python 3.13.2
    - http
    - httpie
    - https
    - man1/http.1
    - man1/httpie.1
    - man1/https.1
   package poetry 2.1.1, installed using Python 3.13.2
    - poetry

After installation, you can also check the execution path using the which command.

> which poetry  # /Users/username/.local/bin/poetry

2.2.2 Running a Package

Installed packages can be run directly.

> poetry --version
> http --help  # Run httpie

2.2.3 Removing a Package

Remove a package with the uninstall command.

> pipx uninstall poetry

To remove all installed packages at once, use the following command.

> pipx uninstall --all

3. Conclusion

With pipx, you can safely manage CLI tools in isolated environments. It is especially useful when managing global CLI tools such as poetry, black, and httpie. From now on, for CLI packages you want to install globally, try using pipx instead of pip! 🚀