Developer Environment

Setting Up a Python Development Environment on MacBook Air with Homebrew, VS Code, PyCharm, and venv

📅 May 16, 2026 ✎ GetModNest Editor Tested on: macOS Level: Beginner

Overview

This article documents a Python development environment setup on a MacBook Air using Homebrew, Python, VS Code, PyCharm, and venv.

macOS -> Homebrew -> Python 3.14 -> venv -> VS Code / PyCharm -> test script

System Environment

Device: MacBook Air
OS: macOS 26.1
Kernel: Darwin 25.1.0
Architecture: ARM64 / Apple Silicon
System Python: Python 3.9.6

Useful commands:

sw_vers
uname -a
python3 --version

Install Homebrew

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://gitee.com/ineo6/homebrew-install/raw/master/install.sh)"

Configure shell environment:

eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"

Verify:

brew -v

On Apple Silicon Macs, Homebrew is usually installed under:

/opt/homebrew

Install Python

brew install python

Python path:

/opt/homebrew/bin/python3

Verify:

python3 --version
which python3

Install IDEs

Visual Studio Code

brew install --cask visual-studio-code
open -a "Visual Studio Code"

PyCharm Community Edition

brew install --cask pycharm-ce
open -a "PyCharm CE"

Create a Python Project

mkdir ~/pythonproject
cd ~/pythonproject
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate

After activation, the terminal prompt should show:

(venv)

Upgrade pip

pip install --upgrade pip

Test the Environment

Create test-env.py:

import sys

print("Python executable:", sys.executable)
print("Python version:", sys.version)

Run:

python test-env.py

The executable path should point to:

~/pythonproject/venv/bin/python

Configure VS Code

code ~/pythonproject

Select interpreter:

Command Palette -> Python: Select Interpreter -> ./venv/bin/python

Recommended extensions:

Python
Pylance
Jupyter

Configure PyCharm

Open the project directory:

~/pythonproject

Select interpreter:

~/pythonproject/venv/bin/python

Common Problems

Homebrew Command Not Found

eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"

Python Still Uses System Version

which python3
python3 --version
source venv/bin/activate
which python
python --version

pip Installs Packages Globally

Activate venv before installing packages:

source venv/bin/activate
pip install package-name

VS Code Does Not Use venv

Use Python: Select Interpreter and choose ./venv/bin/python.

Final Conclusion

This setup uses Homebrew to install a separate Python version and venv to isolate project dependencies. It is a clean workflow for Python development on macOS and Apple Silicon Macs.

Need Help with a Similar Problem or Project?

This note is based on a real troubleshooting, configuration, or development workflow. If you need help with databases, Linux servers, web applications, desktop software, iOS and Android apps, automation scripts, deployment, or AI development environments, GetModNest can provide practical technical support, troubleshooting, and development assistance.

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