How to setup a proper Flask environment

Flask is a microframework for Python based on Werkzeug, Jinja 2 and good intentions. And before you ask: It’s BSD licensed!

A proper Flask environment need Virtualenv and Virtualenvwrapper. Virtualenv is a tool to create isolated Python environments. You can install it directly from your CLI with PIP. PIP is a Python packages manager.

Installation

To install pip and upgrade it to the last version, run the following:

# Intall
curl -O https://bootstrap.pypa.io/get-pip.py
python get-pip.py

# Upgrade
pip install -U pip

After that, you can simple install virtualenv and virtualenvwrapper with the following:

# Install virtualenv
$ pip install virtualenv

# Installation and configuration
$ pip install virtualenvwrapper
$ export WORKON_HOME=~/Envs
$ mkdir -p $WORKON_HOME
$ source /usr/local/bin/virtualenvwrapper.sh

Flask Environment

Now you have to create a new virtual environment for your project

$ mkvirtualenv flask_project

In order to use your new virtual environment type:

$ workon flask_project

You can now install Flask and play with Python with the following:

$ pip install Flask Flask-SQLAlchemy

To return to your main environement, just run:

$ deactivate