Install on Linux

Check existing Python

Most Linux distributions come with Python pre-installed. Let’s check:

python3 --version

If you see a recent Python 3 version, you’re ready! Most modern Linux distributions include Python 3.

Linux uses python3 to distinguish from the older Python 2. Some distributions let you use just python, but python3 always works.

Install or update Python

Choose your Linux distribution below:

Ubuntu/Debian
Fedora/RHEL/CentOS
Arch/Manjaro
openSUSE
Alpine

Update package lists

sudo apt update

Install Python and essential tools

sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv

Install development headers (for compiling packages)

sudo apt install python3-dev build-essential

For the latest Python version

If your distribution doesn’t have the latest Python:

# Add the deadsnakes PPA
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa
sudo apt update

# Install specific version (example: 3.13)
sudo apt install python3.13 python3.13-venv python3.13-dev

Install Python and pip

sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip python3-devel

Install compilation tools

sudo dnf groupinstall "Development Tools"

For newer Python versions

# Check available versions
dnf search python3

# Install specific version
sudo dnf install python3.13

Python is usually pre-installed

# If needed, install Python
sudo pacman -S python python-pip

Install base development tools

sudo pacman -S base-devel

For specific versions

# Search available versions
pacman -Ss python3

# Install from AUR if needed
yay -S python313

Install Python and pip

sudo zypper install python3 python3-pip python3-devel

Install development pattern

sudo zypper install -t pattern devel_basis

Install Python and pip

apk add python3 py3-pip python3-dev

Install build tools

apk add build-base

Verify installation

Check that Python and pip are installed:

python3 --version
pip3 --version

You should see version numbers for both.

Test Python

Start Python:

python3

You’ll see the Python prompt:

Python 3.13.5 (main, Jul 29 2025, 12:03:01) [GCC 11.2.0] on linux
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>

Try a simple command:

print("Hello from Linux!")

Exit Python:
- Type exit() or press Ctrl + D

Troubleshooting

Permission denied

For system packages: Always use sudo:

sudo apt install python3-pip

For pip packages: Install in user space:

pip3 install --user package-name

Best practice: Use virtual environments to avoid permission issues entirely.

python3: command not found

Python isn’t installed. Install it using your package manager:

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt update && sudo apt install python3

# Fedora
sudo dnf install python3

# Arch
sudo pacman -S python

pip3: command not found

pip isn’t installed. Fix it.

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install python3-pip

# Fedora
sudo dnf install python3-pip

# From Python
python3 -m ensurepip

Outdated Python version

Your distribution has an old Python. Options:

Option 1: Use deadsnakes PPA (Ubuntu/Debian):

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3.13

Option 2: Compile from source:

# Install dependencies
sudo apt install build-essential zlib1g-dev libncurses5-dev \
  libgdbm-dev libnss3-dev libssl-dev libreadline-dev \
  libffi-dev libsqlite3-dev wget libbz2-dev

# Download and compile
wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.13.5/Python-3.13.5.tgz
tar -xf Python-3.13.5.tgz
cd Python-3.13.5
./configure --enable-optimizations
make -j $(nproc)
sudo make altinstall

Option 3: Use pyenv for version management

externally-managed-environment error

Modern Linux prevents pip from installing system-wide. Solutions:

Use virtual environments (recommended):

python3 -m venv myenv
source myenv/bin/activate
pip install package-name

Install in user directory:

pip3 install --user package-name

Use pipx for applications:

sudo apt install pipx
pipx install application-name

Next steps

Great! Python is ready on your Linux system. Let’s set up your development environment.

Continue to VS Code introduction

Install and configure Visual Studio Code

Python setup

Platform guides

Code editor

Resources

Python environment

Check existing Python

Install or update Python

Update package lists

Install Python and essential tools

Install development headers (for compiling packages)

For the latest Python version

Install Python and pip

Install compilation tools

For newer Python versions

Python is usually pre-installed

Install base development tools

For specific versions

Install Python and pip

Install development pattern

Install Python and pip

Install build tools

Verify installation

Test Python

Troubleshooting

Next steps

Continue to VS Code introduction

​Check existing Python

​Install or update Python

​Update package lists

​Install Python and essential tools

​Install development headers (for compiling packages)

​For the latest Python version

​Install Python and pip

​Install compilation tools

​For newer Python versions

​Python is usually pre-installed

​Install base development tools

​For specific versions

​Install Python and pip

​Install development pattern

​Install Python and pip

​Install build tools

​Verify installation

​Test Python

​Troubleshooting

​Next steps

Continue to VS Code introduction

Check existing Python

Install or update Python

Update package lists

Install Python and essential tools

Install development headers (for compiling packages)

For the latest Python version

Install Python and pip

Install compilation tools

For newer Python versions

Python is usually pre-installed

Install base development tools

For specific versions

Install Python and pip

Install development pattern

Install Python and pip

Install build tools

Verify installation

Test Python

Troubleshooting

Next steps