Hey!

After having dabbled with Python scripts and constantly having to create and activate the virtual environment again each time creating a new, or accessing an old project, I decided to whip up a quick Bash script that does it all for me.

It checks whether there is a Python Virtual Environment already set up and activated, and if not, it will create and/or activate it for you with one quick command.

You can save this script in your ~/bin or ~/bin/scripts (remember to have your $PATH variable point to the directory though), and use a special alias to access it, so it will always create and/or activate the virtual environment in your current directory!

alias ac='. ~/bin/scripts/activate_venv.sh'

Here's the script:

#!/bin/bash

# Function to show some animated dots
show_progress() {
  while true; do
    echo -n "."
    sleep 0.5
  done
}

# Check if we're already in a virtual environment
if [[ -z "$VIRTUAL_ENV" ]]; then
  # Check if a virtual environment exists in the current directory
  if [[ ! -d "venv" ]]; then
    echo -n "Creating a virtual environment in the current directory"

    # Start the animated dots in the background
    show_progress &
    # Save the background process ID
    PROGRESS_PID=$!

    # Create the virtual environment
    python3 -m venv venv

    # Stop the animated dots
    kill "$PROGRESS_PID" 2>/dev/null
    wait "$PROGRESS_PID" 2>/dev/null
    echo # Newline
  fi

  # Animated venv activation sequence
  echo -n "Activating the virtual environment"
  show_progress &
  PROGRESS_PID=$!
  #Activate the virtual environment
  source venv/bin/activate
  sleep 1.5
  kill "$PROGRESS_PID" 2>/dev/null
  wait "$PROGRESS_PID" 2>/dev/null
  echo # Newline

else
  echo "Already in a virtual environment."
fi

To add a bit of polish (and fun), I added a dot animation to the script. While the virtual environment is being created, you’ll see animated dots indicating progress, giving a visual cue that something’s happening. I also added an extra sleep 1.5 during the activation sequence to extend the animation a bit, as the activation process itself is near-instantaneous. The brief pause lets the dots run through a complete cycle, making it look like the script is "gearing up" to activate the environment. It’s a small touch, but it adds that sense of action, even if it’s just for show!

I hope you like it...

Tell me if you use similar helper scripts with whatever you do with your computer!