> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://praison.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Isolation Backends

> Choose between uv tool, pipx, and venv for installing PraisonAI

PraisonAI's installer keeps the CLI isolated from your global Python environment. Pick the backend that fits your workflow.

```mermaid theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
graph TB
    Start([Which backend should I use?]):::agent
    Start --> Q1{Is uv installed?}
    Q1 -->|Yes| UV[uv tool\nFastest. Zero extra deps.]:::success
    Q1 -->|No| Q2{Is pipx installed?}
    Q2 -->|Yes| PIPX[pipx\nWell-known. Broad ecosystem.]:::tool
    Q2 -->|No| Q3{Need isolation?}
    Q3 -->|Yes| VENV[venv fallback\nAlways available.]:::process
    Q3 -->|No| SYS[--no-venv\nActive Python env.]:::agent

    classDef agent fill:#8B0000,stroke:#7C90A0,color:#fff
    classDef tool fill:#189AB4,stroke:#7C90A0,color:#fff
    classDef process fill:#F59E0B,stroke:#7C90A0,color:#fff
    classDef success fill:#10B981,stroke:#7C90A0,color:#fff
```

## Backend Comparison

|                     | **uv tool**                           | **pipx**                      | **venv**             | **--no-venv**         |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | -------------------- | --------------------- |
| **Isolation**       | ✅ Isolated                            | ✅ Isolated                    | ✅ Isolated           | ❌ None                |
| **Persistence**     | ✅ Permanent                           | ✅ Permanent                   | ✅ Permanent          | ✅ Permanent           |
| **Speed**           | ⚡ Fastest                             | 🐢 Slower                     | 🐢 Slower            | ⚡ Fast                |
| **PATH management** | `uv tool update-shell`                | `pipx ensurepath`             | `~/.local/bin` shim  | Depends on active env |
| **Extra install**   | [uv](https://github.com/astral-sh/uv) | [pipx](https://pipx.pypa.io/) | None                 | None                  |
| **Who manages env** | uv                                    | pipx                          | Installer            | You                   |
| **When to pick**    | You use uv already                    | You use pipx already          | No uv/pipx available | CI, Docker, scripts   |

## Using Each Backend

### uv tool (recommended)

`uv tool install` creates a fully isolated environment managed by uv. The fastest option.

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
# Auto-detected if uv is installed
curl -fsSL https://praison.ai/install.sh | bash

# Force explicitly
curl -fsSL https://praison.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --backend uv

# Or directly (no installer needed)
uv tool install praisonai
```

### pipx

`pipx install` creates an isolated venv managed by pipx. Familiar to Python developers.

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
# Auto-detected if uv is absent and pipx is installed
curl -fsSL https://praison.ai/install.sh | bash

# Force explicitly
curl -fsSL https://praison.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --backend pipx

# Or directly (no installer needed)
pipx install praisonai
```

### venv (fallback)

The installer creates `~/.praisonai/venv` and symlinks `~/.local/bin/praisonai → venv/bin/praisonai`.

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
# Auto-selected when uv and pipx are absent
curl -fsSL https://praison.ai/install.sh | bash

# Force explicitly
curl -fsSL https://praison.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --backend venv

# Custom install directory
curl -fsSL https://praison.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --backend venv --install-dir /opt/praisonai
```

### No isolation (--no-venv)

Installs directly into the active Python environment. Useful in Docker, CI, or when you manage your own venv.

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
curl -fsSL https://praison.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --no-venv

# Or directly
pip install "praisonai[all]"
```

### uvx (zero-install one-shot)

Runs PraisonAI in a temporary environment without a persistent install. Good for one-off commands.

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
uvx praisonai "2+2"
```

## Environment Variable

Override the backend without changing the install command:

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
PRAISONAI_BACKEND=pipx curl -fsSL https://praison.ai/install.sh | bash
PRAISONAI_BACKEND=venv curl -fsSL https://praison.ai/install.sh | bash
PRAISONAI_BACKEND=uv   curl -fsSL https://praison.ai/install.sh | bash
```

Valid values: `uv`, `pipx`, `venv`, `system`, `auto` (default).

## PATH Management

All backends expose the CLI at `~/.local/bin/praisonai`. The installer appends an idempotent block to your shell rc (unless `--no-modify-path`):

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
# >>> PraisonAI PATH >>>
export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
# <<< PraisonAI PATH <<<
```

Fish shell variant:

```fish theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
# >>> PraisonAI PATH >>>
set -gx PATH $HOME/.local/bin $PATH
# <<< PraisonAI PATH <<<
```

Skip PATH modification:

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
curl -fsSL https://praison.ai/install.sh | bash -s -- --no-modify-path
# or
PRAISONAI_NO_MODIFY_PATH=1 curl -fsSL https://praison.ai/install.sh | bash
```

## Uninstalling

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="uv">
    ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
    uv tool uninstall praisonai
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="pipx">
    ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
    pipx uninstall praisonai
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="venv">
    ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
    rm -rf ~/.praisonai
    rm -f ~/.local/bin/praisonai
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quick Install" icon="bolt" href="/docs/install/quickstart">
    One-liner install command
  </Card>

  <Card title="Installer Internals" icon="gear" href="/docs/install/installer">
    Full install.sh reference
  </Card>
</CardGroup>