Resolved - Raspberry Pi OS Debian 12 (bookworm) - Python - error: externally-managed-environment

[mattuschek]

Hello,

i use Raspberry Pi OS Debian 12 (bookworm).

After start "./install_prereq.sh" i get this error:

error: externally-managed-environment

× This environment is externally managed
╰─> To install Python packages system-wide, try apt install
    python3-xyz, where xyz is the package you are trying to
    install.

    If you wish to install a non-Debian-packaged Python package,
    create a virtual environment using python3 -m venv path/to/venv.
    Then use path/to/venv/bin/python and path/to/venv/bin/pip. Make
    sure you have python3-full installed.

    If you wish to install a non-Debian packaged Python application,
    it may be easiest to use pipx install xyz, which will manage a
    virtual environment for you. Make sure you have pipx installed.

    See /usr/share/doc/python3.11/README.venv for more information.

note: If you believe this is a mistake, please contact your Python installation or OS distribution provider. You can override this, at the risk of breaking your Python installation or OS, by passing --break-system-packages.
hint: See PEP 668 for the detailed specification.

How is the solution?
If possible, please provide step by step instructions.
Thanky you.

I found an unusual solution in this blog:
https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2023/how-solve-error-externally-managed-environment-when-installing-pip3

The blog says:
"delete the EXTERNALLY-MANAGED file in your system Python installation"
sudo rm -rf /usr/lib/python3.11/EXTERNALLY-MANAGED

But is this really a right solution?

LG

[mattuschek]

English (german below):

I solved the error "error: externally-managed-environment" on Raspberry Pi OS Debian 12 (bookworm).

I modified the files install_prereq.sh and start_flash.sh.
Both files now work with Debian 12 (Bookworm) or newer.
On Debian 12 (Bookworm) or newer, Python works in a virtual environment.
https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/os.html#use-python-on-a-raspberry-pi

The modified files install_prereq.sh and start_flash.sh are attached.

Please rename files after downloading:
install_prereq.sh.txt to install_prereq.sh
start_flash.sh.txt to start_flash.sh

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German:

Ich habe den Fehler "error: externally-managed-environment" auf Raspberry Pi OS Debian 12 (bookworm) gelöst.

Ich habe die Dateien install_prereq.sh und start_flash.sh geändert.
Beide Dateien funktionieren jetzt auch mit Debian 12 (Bookworm) oder neuer.
Bei Debian 12 (Bookworm) oder neuer arbeitet Python in einer virtuellen Umgebung.
https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/os.html#use-python-on-a-raspberry-pi

Die angepassten Dateien install_prereq.sh und start_flash.sh sind anbei.
Dateien nach dem Download bitte umbenennen:
install_prereq.sh.txt zu install_prereq.sh
start_flash.sh.txt zu start_flash.sh

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Files to download:
start_flash.sh.txt
install_prereq.sh.txt