How to Fix 'Zsh: Command Not Found: Python' (With Video Tutorial)

Since Apple released macOS Big Sur and removed the system installation of Python 2, these zsh command errors such as zsh: command not found: pip, zsh: command not found: python vscode, and other zsh issues started appearing more frequently.

When you try to run a Python command, but it's not in your Shell's PATH, you'll encounter an error like zsh: command not found: python in your terminal or on a server. Another possibility is that Python isn't installed, or its executable file isn't in the system's PATH.

The other reason is that users who relied on the system-provided Python 2 installation to set up their Python development environment were affected when Apple removed it, so they may now encounter a “zsh: command not found” problem when they try to run Python commands.

Solving the "zsh: command not found: python" issue on Mac? Check out the quick navigation below:

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How to Resolve the 'Command Not Found: Python' Issue in Zsh

In macOS, the Python command might be misconfigured. You can try four methods to fix the error 'zsh: command not found: python:'

1. Solution 1: Ensure Python3 is Installed
2. Solution 2: Use 'python3' Command Instead of 'python'
3. Solution 3: Update the PATH Environment Variable
4. Solution 4: Reset or Restart the Terminal

Before you proceed with fixing the zsh: command not found: python issue on your Mac, watch this video first. It will provide you with a quicker and more detailed solution.

• 00: 00 - Introduction
• 01: 26 - Typing "python" in the command line
• 02: 10 - Checking Python version in Finder
• 02: 38 - Using "python3" instead of "python"

Solution 1: Ensure Python 3 is installed

If you haven't manually installed Python 3 but have updated your Mac, you may find that zsh can't locate the Python command. Anyone who's upgraded their Mac to Monterey 12.3 will have found that their Python 2 suddenly vanished. That's because Apple removed the pre-installed Python 2 installation from the machine.

Make sure Python is installed, install python3

To resolve this issue, you can either install a newer version of Python, such as Python 3, or use a version manager like Homebrew or pyenv to manage your Python installations. This will allow you to have multiple Python versions installed and easily switch between them. Follow these steps to install Python 3.9.6 or another specific version using pyenv: 1. First, ensure that you have Homebrew installed (if on a Mac) or have an alternative version manager ready. If not, visit the Homebrew website (https://brew.sh/) to install it. 2. Open the Terminal. 3. Install pyenv: - For Homebrew users: ``` brew update brew install pyenv ``` - For Ubuntu or Debian users: ``` apt-get update apt-get install -y make build-essential libssl-dev zlib1g-dev libbz2-dev libreadline-dev libsqlite3-dev wget curl llvm libncurses5-dev libncursesw5-dev xz-utils tk-dev libffi-dev liblzma-dev python3-dev git clone https://github.com/pyenv/pyenv.git ~/.pyenv echo 'export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"' >> ~/.bashrc echo 'export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc echo 'if command -v pyenv 1>/dev/null 2>&1; then\n eval "$(pyenv init -)"\nfi' >> ~/.bashrc exec $SHELL ``` 4. Restart the Terminal and then install the desired Python version (e.g., 3.9.6): ``` pyenv install 3.9.6 ``` 5. Set the global Python version to 3.9.6 (if you want it as the default): ``` pyenv global 3.9.6 ``` 6. Verify the installation: ``` python --version ``` Now, you should be able to use Python 3.9.6 or the version you chose. To switch between Python versions for different projects, simply run `pyenv local ` or `pyenv global `.

Step 1: Manage your Python versions with pyenv, installed via brew: `brew install pyenv`.

Step 2: Use `pyenv install --list` to view all available versions that you can install.

Step 3: Next, type `pyenv install 3.9.6` to install it.

Step 4. Typing "pyenv versions" will list the installed versions.

Step 5: Run `pyenv global 3.9.6` to set the global default Python version to 3.9.6.

If necessary, add `eval "$(pyenv init --path)"` to your `~/.zprofile` or `~/.bash_profile` file.

Step 7. Reopen the terminal and run `$ source ~/.zprofile` to check that your Python setup is still working correctly.

As mentioned above, you should be using the command: brew. If you get the error zsh: command not found: brew, the most likely reason is that Brew is not installed, or it's currently broken or corrupted.

Fix 2: Use the command `python3` instead of `python`

When Apple removed the system-provided Python 2 installation, it affected users who relied on it as their Python programming environment. Consequently, they might encounter the issue "zsh: command not found: python" when attempting to run the python command.

Therefore, the easiest way to fix the zsh: command not found: python issue is to type python3 in your terminal instead of just python.

Make sure you have the correct version of Python installed on your Mac, and that you type the correct command (python2 or python3) for the particular version you're running in Zsh.

Fix 3: Update your PATH

This error might occur because Python is not installed on your system, or the Python executable is not in your shell's PATH environment variable.

If you have Python installed but it's not added to your PATH, you can include the Python executable. You can add the following line to your shell configuration file (such as ~/.zshrc):

This command adds the path "/usr/bin/python" to the system's PATH environment variable, allowing the Python interpreter to be run from anywhere in the terminal.

After adding the line, reload the configuration file by restarting the terminal or running the following command in the terminal:

Execute the command: `source ~/.zshrc`

Now, entering the command python should successfully launch the Python interpreter.

Fix 4: Reset or Restart the Terminal

You can reset your Mac Terminal using a configuration reset. Here are the steps to factory reset Terminal on Mac:

Step 1: Open the “Terminal” app on your macOS device.

Step 2. In the menu bar, click on “Shell.”

Step 3: From the menu, choose “Reset,” or press Option+Command+R on your Mac keyboard.

You can reset the terminal state by following these steps, but no divergence will be displayed on the terminal screen.

If any of these methods helped you fix the Zsh issue, share it on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and so on!

Bonus Tip: How to Recover Deleted Data and Apps on a Mac

Why is the "zsh: command not found: python" error more common on macOS? This might be because with macOS 12 Monterey, particularly after version 12.3, Mac users might have inadvertently removed the local Python support.

Thus, the “zsh: command not found: python” error can lead to data loss on your Mac. That's because web issues can also cause Zsh errors. Don't worry. This problem is easily fixable with the help of the Mac Data Recovery Wizard.

When permissions like Zsh are denied or when issues are directly related to files, your Mac becomes more vulnerable to attacks. With the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool, you can recover deleted or lost data and apps, as well as restore permanently deleted files from Mac's Trash.

• The Mac Data Recovery Wizard can quickly restore Mac Trash and recover data from formatted storage devices.
• It supports data recovery for macOS and Windows systems in cases of accidental deletion, formatting, hard drive failure, virus attacks, and more.
• It can recover and restore over 1000 file types and formats, including JPG, RAW, ART, XLTX, DOC, APE, M4A, and many others.

Download the tool: Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, and then recover data from Mac in 3 steps:

Step 1. Select the disk to scan

In the main Data Recovery Wizard utility window, all drives connected to your Mac will be listed. Select the drive from which you want to recover lost/deleted files and click on the “Search for Lost Files” button.

Note: Before data recovery, it's better to click “Disk Backup” on the left sidebar to back up your Mac so as to prevent further data loss. After the backup, the software can recover data from the Mac backup, and your computer can write new data again.

Step 2: Select the data/files you lost

The Mac Data Recovery Wizard immediately scans the partition you select and displays the results in the left panel. If you're looking for specific files, you can sort the results to find them.

Step 3: Recover Lost/Deleted Data

Once the scan is finished, preview the files found and then click “Recover” to start retrieving your deleted or lost Mac files.

Adding Python to Zsh involves a few steps, primarily ensuring Python is installed and then configuring your Zsh environment to recognize it. Here's a step-by-step guide: 1. **Install Python**: If you haven't already installed Python, you can do so using the package manager for your operating system. For macOS or Linux, use `brew` (Homebrew) or `apt-get` (Advanced Package Tool) respectively: - macOS with Homebrew: ``` brew install python ``` - Ubuntu/Debian with apt-get: ``` sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install python3 ``` - For CentOS/RHEL, use yum: ``` sudo yum install python3 ``` On Windows, you can download the installer from the official Python website: https://www.python.org/downloads/ 2. **Update PATH**: After installing Python, you need to add its installation directory to your `PATH` environment variable. This will allow Zsh to find Python when you run it from the command line. Open your `~/.zshrc` file (your Zsh configuration file) using a text editor: ``` nano ~/.zshrc ``` Then, add the following lines at the end of the file, replacing `/path/to/python` with the actual path where Python is installed (usually `/usr/local/bin/python3` or `/usr/bin/python3`): ```bash export PATH="/path/to/python:$PATH" ``` Save the changes and exit the editor. Then, reload the `~/.zshrc` file for the changes to take effect: ``` source ~/.zshrc ``` 3. **Verify Installation**: Check if Python has been successfully added by running the following command: ``` python3 --version ``` This should display the installed version of Python. That's it! You've now added Python to your Zsh environment.

Even if Python is already installed, the path might not be configured. So, the next step is to add Python to Zsh so that it launches when you enter the python command. To do this, first open Terminal on your Mac, and then run the following command in the terminal:

This command means: Add a line to the user's ZSH configuration file (~/.zshrc) to set an alias for python as /usr/bin/python3.

Now, your zsh configuration will set Python to run as `/usr/bin/python3` whenever you use Python. If you still have issues, check that `python=` points to the path where Python is installed, with the `$` sign.

You can do the following using bash instead of zsh:

Here's the translation in American English: ```shell echo "alias python=/usr/bin/python3" >> ~/.bashrc ``` This command means: Append a line to the user's Bash configuration file, ~/.bashrc, creating an alias that sets `python` to `/usr/bin/python3`. As a result, whenever Python is typed in the terminal, it will run the Python 3 interpreter.

A broken Python installation in your PATH is a common issue. If the first executable the command line finds is corrupted, it will try to start it and then stop looking for other corrupted files. While you should also remove this broken Python installation from your system, a quick fix for the problem is simply to put the new Python directory before the old one in your PATH.

Ultimately

With Python 2 having reached its end-of-life, Apple removed the system-provided installation in macOS 11 Big Sur. This signifies that Python 2 is no longer considered a secure or reliable language version and has ceased to receive active support from the Python development community. As a result, issues like "zsh: command not found: python" have become more common.

This article provides 4 ways to fix it. The Terminal is a useful tool on the Mac and a necessary one for running commands. However, if you don't use the Terminal on your Mac correctly, you may face terrible data loss. Fortunately, tools like Mac Data Recovery Wizard can help!

Frequently Asked Questions: "Command Not Found" with Zsh and Python If you encounter the "Command Not Found" error in the Zsh shell, it means the Python command you're trying to run is not recognized by your system. Here are some potential solutions and common issues: 1. **Check if Python is installed**: In the terminal, type `python3 --version` or `python --version` (depending on your system configuration). If it returns a version number, Python is already installed. If not, you need to install Python first. 2. **Update or Install Path**: Ensure the path to the Python installation is added to your system's PATH environment variable. In Zsh, you can do this by editing the `.zshrc` file. Open the file: ``` nano ~/.zshrc ``` Add the following line at the end of the file (adjust the path according to your Python installation): ``` export PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH" ``` Save and close the file, then reload the configuration: ``` source ~/.zshrc ``` 3. **Run Python using its full path**: If Python is installed but still not found, you can run it directly via its full path: ``` /usr/local/bin/python3 your_script.py ``` 4. **Check Aliases Setup**: In Zsh, aliases can be set to simplify commands. Check your `.zshrc` file for an alias setup for Python, like: ``` alias python=python3 ``` If it's not there, add this line, then reload the configuration. 5. **Update Zsh to the latest version**: Make sure your Zsh is up to date. Sometimes, older versions may cause commands to be unrecognized. Update Zsh: ``` brew update && brew upgrade zsh ``` 6. **Pay Attention to Command Spelling and Case**: In the terminal, command case is sensitive. Ensure you've typed "python" or "python3" correctly. 7. **Restart the Terminal**: Sometimes, simply restarting the terminal can resolve the issue as it refreshes environment variables and configurations. If none of these steps help, you might need to further investigate your system configuration or seek assistance from the community.

After learning how to fix the "zsh: command not found: python" issue, you might have more questions. Check here to see if your answer is among them:

**1. How to fix the "command not found" issue in Python?** In Python, if you encounter a "command not found" problem, it is usually due to one of the following reasons: 1. **Environment Variables Issue**: Make sure the path to the Python executable file is added to the system's PATH environment variable. On Windows, the Python installer typically does this automatically, but on Linux or macOS, you may need to do it manually. 2. **Module Not Installed**: If you're trying to run a Python module (like `pip` or `numpy`) and receive the "command not found" error, check if the module is correctly installed. You can do this by running `python -m pip list` (for Python 3) or `python3 -m pip list` (for Python 2) in your terminal or command prompt to view installed modules. 3. **Using a Python Virtual Environment**: If you're working with a Python virtual environment (like venv or conda), ensure that it is activated. Within a virtual environment, you need to prefix `pip` or `python` commands to point to the correct Python interpreter. To resolve these issues, try the following steps: - For environment variable problems, search for a guide specific to your operating system on how to add the Python path to PATH. - Install missing modules using `pip install `. - On Linux or macOS, activate the virtual environment with `source activate your_env_name` (for conda) or `source venv/bin/activate` (for venv). On Windows, use `activate your_env_name`. If the issue persists, provide more detailed information for a more specific solution.

Here, you must select “Path.” As shown in the screenshot below, Python requires a path variable. If Python is missing from the Path, select it from the menu and click Edit. A new screen will appear; click New.

**2. How to Run Python on a Mac Terminal?** To run Python on your Mac Terminal, follow these steps: 1. Open the "Terminal" application. You can find it by: - Using Spotlight search (press `Command + Space`, then type "Terminal" and hit `Enter`). - Navigating through "Applications" > "Utilities" > "Terminal." 2. In the opened terminal window, type the following command to check the installed Python version: ``` python3 --version ``` 3. If Python 3 is already installed, it will display your Python version. If not, you may need to install it using Homebrew, a package manager for macOS. First, install Homebrew by copying the following command, pasting it into the terminal, and pressing `Enter`: ``` /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)" ``` 4. After installation, use Homebrew to install Python 3: ``` brew install python ``` 5. Now, run `python3 --version` again to verify that the installation was successful. 6. To start the Python interactive shell, type: ``` python3 ``` 7. The terminal will display `>>>`, indicating you can now enter Python code. To exit the Python shell, type `exit()`. You should now be able to run Python on your Mac Terminal.

On a Mac, it's easy: just open the Launchpad, find the Terminal, and type Python at the prompt, which will display which version you have.

How to Fix the "zsh: command not found" Error?

You can try the solutions listed below to fix your Zsh issues. You can read more about how to resolve the Zsh: command not found problem by clicking the link.

Set the environment variable $PATH Install packages Reinstall macOS Check the syntax of your .zshrc file and set the path.

How do I delete a file on MacBook using Terminal?

Step 1: Open the Applications folder in Finder, then choose Utilities to launch Terminal on your Mac.

In the Terminal window, type “rm” followed by a space. Then, drag the file into the Terminal to delete it.

Step 3: Press Enter to permanently delete the file.