There's a closed pull request on the void-packages repository python3: mark as EXTERNALLY-MANAGED https://github.com/void-linux/void-packages/pull/43735 Description: this prevents users from breaking xbps-installed python3 packages by using pip outside of a virtual environment. Error message adapted from gentoo's, debian's, and the example from PEP 668 see https://peps.python.org/pep-0668/ for more details closes #43703 ``` $ pip install --user foo error: externally-managed-environment × This environment is externally managed ╰─> The system-wide Python installation in Void should be maintained using the system package manager, xbps. If the package in question is not packaged for Void, please consider installing it inside a virtual environment, e.g.: python3 -m venv /path/to/venv . /path/to/venv/bin/activate pip install mypackage To exit the virtual environment, run: deactivate The virtual environment is not deleted, and can be re-entered by re-sourcing the activate file. To automatically manage virtual environments, pipx (from python3-pipx) can be used. 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. ``` #### Testing the changes - I tested the changes in this PR: **YES** #### TODOs - [ ] write a news post notifying users of this change - [x] (potentially) update [void-linux/void-containers](https://github.com/void-linux/void-containers) containers to not break due to this change cc: @ahesford