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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteInstall Urlwatch with pip inside a Python virtual environment, not into Ubuntu’s system Python. From your project directory, run the following commands:
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install --upgrade urlwatch
urlwatch --versionInstall Urlwatch in a virtual environment
-
Open a terminal and change to the directory where you want the environment. If you do not have a project directory yet, create one and enter it:
mkdir urlwatch-project cd urlwatch-project -
Create a virtual environment named
.venv:python3 -m venv .venv -
Activate it in the current terminal:
source .venv/bin/activate -
Install or upgrade Urlwatch:
python -m pip install --upgrade urlwatch -
Check that the command is available and prints a version number:
urlwatch --version
Keep using this environment when you run Urlwatch. In a new terminal session, return to the project directory and run source .venv/bin/activate again. To leave the environment, run deactivate.
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Why use a virtual environment on Ubuntu?
A virtual environment isolates Urlwatch and its Python packages from Ubuntu’s system Python. This matters especially on Ubuntu 23.04 and newer, where system Python may be marked externally managed under PEP 668. A pip command aimed at that system Python can fail with an externally-managed-environment error. Creating and activating a venv first directs the installation into the isolated environment instead.
If python3 -m venv .venv says that venv support is unavailable, install the venv support package appropriate for your Ubuntu release and Python version, then rerun the command. Check the package manager for your release rather than assuming a version-specific package name.
Requirements and optional features
Urlwatch 2.29 documents support for Python 3.8 or newer. Its required dependencies include PyYAML, minidb, requests, keyring, platformdirs, lxml, and cssselect. Installing Urlwatch with pip normally installs its declared dependencies automatically.
Some Urlwatch features have additional optional dependencies. For example, browser jobs can require Playwright, and certain reporters or filters need other packages. Install optional packages only when you plan to use the feature that requires them.
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Troubleshoot installation problems
externally-managed-environment
Cause: pip is targeting Ubuntu’s system Python rather than an isolated environment.
Fix: From your project directory, create and activate a venv, then repeat the install:
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install --upgrade urlwatchurlwatch: command not found
Cause: The virtual environment may not be active, so its bin directory is not on the shell’s PATH.
Fix: From the directory containing .venv, run source .venv/bin/activate, then retry urlwatch --version.
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Cause: The venv component for the installed Ubuntu/Python combination is unavailable.
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Fix: Use Ubuntu’s package manager to identify and install the venv support package for your release, then retry python3 -m venv .venv.
Other ways to install Urlwatch
Use Ubuntu’s apt package
Ubuntu also distributes Urlwatch through apt, but the packaged version depends on the Ubuntu suite. For example, the Jammy package index lists 2.24-1, while the Questing manpage describes 2.29-1. If you specifically want pip, use the virtual-environment procedure above rather than treating apt and pip as interchangeable version sources.
Use pipx as an application manager
On Ubuntu 23.04 and newer, pipx is another option for installing Python command-line applications in isolated environments and making their commands available on PATH. Its documented Ubuntu setup is:
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sudo apt update
sudo apt install pipx
pipx ensurepathChoose pipx if you want an application manager to handle the isolated environment; choose the venv steps when you want to manage Urlwatch within a particular project or environment.
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