# Using venv

{% embed url="<https://docs.python.org/3/library/venv.html>" %}

Virtual environments (venv) are self-contained directories that contain a Python installation for a particular version of Python, plus a number of additional packages.

## Creating a virtual environment

{% hint style="info" %}
This method will inherit the surrounding dbt virtual environment, including all dbt packages.
{% endhint %}

To create a virtual environment in Paradime IDE:

1. Open the terminal in the Paradime Code IDE.
2. Navigate to your project directory.
3. Run the following command:

```bash
python -m venv my_venv
```

This creates a new virtual environment named `my_venv` in your current directory.

## Activating the virtual environment

To activate a [virtual environment](#creating-a-standard-virtual-environment), run:

```bash
source my_venv/bin/activate
```

## Deactivating a virtual environment

To exit the virtual environment, simply run:

```bash
deactivate
```


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