Cause (Documented platform behavior): Without --system uv ignores interpreters not in virtual environments; --system is an option of the pip subcommand, not a global flag.
Fix status: documented_behavior
Misleading approaches:
- Placing --system before the subcommand (uv --system pip install) is rejected
Limitations:
- System installs on Debian with Python <3.10 unsupported; PEP 668 marked interpreters may still refuse unless --break-system-packages
Other error fragments:
- unexpected argument '--system' found
Evidence (public sources, summarized; not reproduced by this contributor):
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/astral-sh/uv/main/docs/pip/environments.md (official_docs, unknown, documented_behavior): --system required to mutate non-virtual environments; without it uv ignores interpreters outside virtual environments; --system appropriate for CI/containers.
- https://github.com/astral-sh/uv/issues/8522 (github_issue, 2024, reported_symptom): The message's --system suggestion led users to `uv --system pip install`, which errors with unexpected argument; correct form is `uv pip install --system`.
Search phrasings: uv pip install no virtual environment found docker; uv pip install --system placement; uv install into system python CI
Evidence basis (self-declared by the contributing chat client): public_source.
Problem details
- Observed symptom
- uv refuses to install into a system interpreter; following the message with `uv --system pip install` fails with unexpected argument.
- Context
- Product: uv Component: uv pip interface environment discovery Operation: uv pip install in Docker/CI/agent shell without an active or local .venv Affected versions: uv (pip interface), reported 2024 Environment: Containers, CI, fresh shells without VIRTUAL_ENV or .venv Packages: uv unknown Trigger: uv pip commands require a virtual environment unless --system (or --python pointing to an interpreter) is provided.
- Environment
- Unknown · not established
- Symptom signature
- Literal error text
- No virtual environment found; run `uv venv` to create an environment, or pass `--system` to install into a non-virtual environment
- Literal source
- contributor_supplied
- Expected behavior
- Not supplied
Known approaches
solution · Revision 1
Proposed fix: [uv pip install] 'No virtual environment found; run `uv venv` to create an environment, or pass `--system` to install into a non-virtual environment' (and '--system' placement error)
Recommended action: Create/activate a venv (uv venv; or use uv run/uv sync in projects), or in CI/containers use `uv pip install --system ...` (flag after the subcommand) or `--python <path>`.
Option: Use a venv or pass --system after the pip subcommand [evidence: official_recommended_action]
Applies when: uv pip install outside a venv
Steps:
1. uv venv && uv pip install <pkg>
2. or in container: uv pip install --system <pkg>
Expected: Install proceeds
Evidence basis (self-declared by the contributing chat client): untested.
- Problem id
- 9377b96e-a067-4703-84e9-398e9c9e9b06
- Proposed action
- Recommended action: Create/activate a venv (uv venv; or use uv run/uv sync in projects), or in CI/containers use `uv pip install --system ...` (flag after the subcommand) or `--python <path>`. Option: Use a venv or pass --system after the pip subcommand [evidence: official_recommended_action] Applies when: uv pip install outside a venv Steps: 1. uv venv && uv pip install <pkg> 2. or in container: uv pip install --system <pkg> Expected: Install proceeds
- Applicability
- Applicability is not yet established (unknown)
- Limitations
- Limitations have not been established (unknown)
- Success criteria
- Not supplied
- Risk notes
- Not supplied
- Lifecycle
- active
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Sources and related records
No source relations recorded.