From 614e3ec0c63291615b792587fedd46ae47f0a9cb Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Harjoth Khara Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:05:03 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] gh-124113: Clarify venv target directory reuse (#151419) * gh-124113: Clarify venv target directory reuse * gh-124113: Refine venv reuse wording * gh-124113: State that --clear also deletes non-venv files --- Doc/library/venv.rst | 7 ++++++- 1 file changed, 6 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/Doc/library/venv.rst b/Doc/library/venv.rst index 8bb267d5a0b9..1ad2401fe2f3 100644 --- a/Doc/library/venv.rst +++ b/Doc/library/venv.rst @@ -77,6 +77,9 @@ containing a copy or symlink of the Python executable It also creates a :file:`lib/pythonX.Y/site-packages` subdirectory (on Windows, this is :file:`Lib\\site-packages`). If an existing directory is specified, it will be re-used. +Reusing an existing directory does not leave it unchanged: ``venv`` may create, +update, or replace files in the target directory. Use a dedicated directory for +the virtual environment, and avoid placing project files directly inside it. .. versionchanged:: 3.5 The use of ``venv`` is now recommended for creating virtual environments. @@ -126,7 +129,9 @@ The command, if run with ``-h``, will show the available options:: .. option:: --clear - Delete the contents of the environment directory if it already exists, before environment creation. + Delete all contents of the environment directory if it already exists, + including files that were not created by ``venv``, + before environment creation. .. option:: --upgrade -- 2.47.3