# PEP 668: Marking Python base environments as "externally managed"

**URL:** <https://discuss.python.org/t/pep-668-marking-python-base-environments-as-externally-managed/10302>\
**Category:** Standards\
**Created:** [August 24, 2021, 2:50pm UTC](https://discuss.python.org/t/pep-668-marking-python-base-environments-as-externally-managed/10302 "2021-08-24T14:50:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 68

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**Author:** ![pradyunsg](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discuss.python.org/pradyunsg/32/206_2.png) [@pradyunsg](https://discuss.python.org/u/pradyunsg)\
**Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 9:19am UTC](https://discuss.python.org/t/pep-668-marking-python-base-environments-as-externally-managed/10302/68 "2022-10-15T09:19:41Z")

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Adding a cross reference to [Linux distro patches to `sysconfig` are changing `pip install --prefix` outside virtual environments](https://discuss.python.org/t/linux-distro-patches-to-sysconfig-are-changing-pip-install-prefix-outside-virtual-environments/18240/) since the distro needs for /usr vs /usr/local was discussed there too, and the point of that thread is to figure out/discuss a design for a solution to the problem.

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_[View the full topic](https://discuss.python.org/t/pep-668-marking-python-base-environments-as-externally-managed/10302)._