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How to Fix 'zsh: command not found: python'by@smpnjn
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How to Fix 'zsh: command not found: python'

by Johnny SimpsonAugust 14th, 2022
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MacOS has removed native python support in MacOS 12.3.3. The issue is easy to fix. Make sure Python is installed and add python to zsh so that it will run upon typing the `python` command. If you are still facing issues, ensure that `python=$` where the $ sign should equal the path `Python` is installed on. If you still face the same issue, move to step 2. Add python to your zsh profile to run `/usr/bin/python3` when `python is run.
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When trying to run python from the terminal, it is possible to run into the following issue:


zsh: command not found: python


This can happen on any system but does occur slightly more commonly on macOS since they removed native python support in macOS 12.3. Fortunately, this issue is easy to fix.


Step 1: make sure Python is installed

The first thing you should check is that python is installed. You can install python from the terminal if you have brew installed it by simply typing:


brew install python


You can also download the executable directly from the Python website to install it. Once python is installed, try running python from the terminal again. If you still face the same issue, move to step 2.


Step 2: add python to zsh

The next step is to add python to zsh so that it will run upon typing the python command. You can do this by running the following in terminal:


echo "alias python=/usr/bin/python3" >> ~/.zshrc


This will configure your zsh profile to run /usr/bin/python3 when python is run. If you are still facing issues, ensure that python=$ where the $ sign should equal the path python is installed on.


Step 3: restart terminal

Now that you've done that, simply restart your terminal. When you open it again, your python command should work successfully.



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