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# Install Applications

## Installing a Package and its Applications

Install an application with:

    pipx install PACKAGE

pipx creates a virtual environment, installs the package, and adds its entry points to a location on your `PATH`. `pipx install pycowsay` makes the `pycowsay` command available system-wide while sandboxing pycowsay in its own virtual environment. No `sudo` required. To install for all users on the system, pass `--global` after the subcommand (see Configure Paths).

    >> pipx install pycowsay
      installed package pycowsay 2.0.3, Python 3.10.3
      These apps are now globally available
        - pycowsay
    done! ✨ 🌟 ✨

    >> pipx list
    venvs are in /home/user/.local/share/pipx/venvs
    apps are exposed on your $PATH at /home/user/.local/bin
       package pycowsay 2.0.3, Python 3.10.3
        - pycowsay

    # Now you can run pycowsay from anywhere
    >> pycowsay mooo
      ____
    < mooo >
      ====
             \
              \
                ^__^
                (oo)\_______
                (__)\       )\/\
                    ||----w |
                    ||     ||

### Picking a Python interpreter

Pass `--python` to install with a specific Python version. When that Python isn't on your `PATH`, pipx can download a python-build-standalone build for you:

    pipx install --python 3.13 --fetch-python=missing pycowsay

Pass `--fetch-python=always` to use a fresh standalone build instead of any system Python. Reach for it when a distro patched the system Python in ways you can't tolerate. See the Standalone Python how-to for more options.