[PDF Skill] macOS: dependency install guidance should default to venv, not system `python -m pip`
I was suggested by @etraut-openai to open an issue using the feedback mechanism
Summary
On macOS, Codex sometimes suggests commands like python -m pip install ... that target system/global Python.
This often fails (permissions / externally-managed environment) and is not a reliable default.
The guidance should default to creating and using a virtual environment first.
Environment
- OS: macOS (reproducible across setups)
- Tooling: Codex CLI / agent workflow
- Typical failing pattern:
python -m pip install ...without an active venv
Steps to Reproduce
- Ask Codex to install Python dependencies (example:
reportlab,pdfplumber,pypdf). - Codex suggests or runs
python -m pip install ...directly. - Install attempts to write to system package directories.
- Command fails due to permission/external-management constraints.
Actual Behavior
Codex proposes system-level pip installs as a fallback path.
Expected Behavior
Codex should prefer:
python3 -m venv <path>source <path>/bin/activatepython -m pip install -U pippython -m pip install <packages>
Optional: if uv is used, still require an active venv for package installation.
Why this matters
This is a common macOS failure mode and not environment-specific.
Defaulting to venv-based installs would prevent recurring setup failures and reduce user friction.
Proposed Fix
Update built-in install guidance (skills/prompts/docs) so Python dependency instructions always use isolated environments first, and avoid system Python installs by default.
3 Comments
Forgot to mention
That or using uv, which while not installed by default, is considered the better alternative for managing virtual environments and python installations.
This feature request hasn't received enough upvotes, so I'm closing it.