Anaconda Export Environment File

python

environment-variables

conda

environment-management

byNikita Barsukov·Jan 11, 2025

Export an Anaconda environment using conda env export. Save the output to a environment.yml file:

conda env export > environment.yml  # Command says brrrr... 🚀

For a lighter, cleaner file that includes only your top-level packages, use the --from-history flag:

conda env export --from-history > environment.yml  # Travel light 🎈

After exporting, remove the prefix line in the file for a truly portable environment setup.

When you need to materialize the environment on a different machine, just run:

conda env create -f environment.yml  # Abracadabra! 🧙‍♂️

If you need to point to a different path for the installation, include the -p flag:

conda env create -f environment.yml -p /path/to/new/environment  # Go there. 👉

Environment Crafting: Manual, Optimized, and Explained

The old-school way: Manual environment crafting

Contrary to popular belief, some things are indeed better done manually. 😅 Crafting your own environment.yml might seem tedious, but it gives you precise control over your dependencies and the file becomes cross-platform compatible.

Build-less, Conflict-less: Utilizing the --no-builds Flag

To prevent version conflicts across systems, use the --no-builds option. This omits the platform-specific build strings during the export process:

conda env export --no-builds > environment.yml  # Avoiding build fights 🥊

Only the Necessities: Simplified Extraction with `conda list -e`

Your environment may have a lot of packages, but not all are necessity. To extract only the necessary packages, use conda list -e:

conda list -e > req.txt  # Just the important stuff 🥂

Then, create an environment using this simplified list with conda:

conda create -n shiny_new_env --file req.txt  # New and improved! 💪

Mixing Conda and Pip: Covering All Bases

If your environment also uses pip install packages, you gotta cover all your bases. Capture these packages by freezing pip:

pip freeze > pip-requirements.txt  # Freeze! This is the pip police! 🚔

Substituting Commands: The Windows Way

When using Windows, replace the Unix-specific grep command with findstr. It's like grep, but with more windows and less penguins. 🐧

Advanced Tips and Tricks for An Assured Journey

Activate before Export: Care for Details

Activate your environment before export. This ensures you aren't packing the wrong clothes for the trip:

conda activate my_env
conda env export > environment.yml  # All packed! 🎒

Name Thy Files: Choose Appropriate Filenames

You may have many environments. Keep them apart by customizing the filename:

conda env export > custom-env-name.yml  # Say my name, .yml

Universal Soldier: Seek Portability

Keep your environment.yml portable. This means avoiding platform or machine specific paths. Remember, an environment.yml at rest tends to stay at rest. 😎

Share your environment.yml or requirements.txt with your peers for easy environment replication. Trust me, they'll thank you later.

Oops-proof Your Environment: Backup

Backup your environment to a text file:

conda list --explicit > myEnvBkp.txt  # Rainy day survival kit ☂️

Trial Run: Verify Your Environment

After recreating an environment from an export file, verify its functionality with your application. If it works, give yourself a pat on the back. Good job! 🏆