conda env export#

Note

A newer conda export command is now available with enhanced functionality, including multiple export formats and a plugin-based architecture. See conda export for the modern approach to environment export.

Export a given environment

usage: conda env export [-h] [-c CHANNEL] [--override-channels]
                        [-n ENVIRONMENT | -p PATH] [-f FILE]
                        [--format {environment-json,environment-yaml,explicit,json,reqs,requirements,txt,yaml,yml}]
                        [--no-builds] [--ignore-channels] [--json]
                        [--console CONSOLE] [-v] [-q] [--from-history]

Named Arguments#

-c, --channel

Additional channel to include in the export

--override-channels

Do not include .condarc channels

-f, --file

File name or path for the exported environment. Note: This will silently overwrite any existing file of the same name in the current directory.

--format

Possible choices: environment-json, environment-yaml, explicit, json, reqs, requirements, txt, yaml, yml

Format for the exported environment. If not specified, format will be determined by file extension or default to YAML.

--no-builds

Remove build specification from dependencies

--ignore-channels

Do not include channel names with package names.

--from-history

Build environment spec from explicit specs in history

Target Environment Specification#

-n, --name

Name of environment.

-p, --prefix

Full path to environment location (i.e. prefix).

Output, Prompt, and Flow Control Options#

--json

Report all output as json. Suitable for using conda programmatically.

--console

Select the backend to use for normal output rendering.

-v, --verbose

Can be used multiple times. Once for detailed output, twice for INFO logging, thrice for DEBUG logging, four times for TRACE logging.

-q, --quiet

Do not display progress bar.

Examples:

conda export
conda export --file FILE_NAME
conda export --format yaml
conda export --file environment.yaml

Overview#

The conda env export command exports conda environments to YAML format. This command continues to be fully supported.

For new projects, consider conda export, which provides additional features:

  • Multiple export formats (YAML, JSON, explicit, requirements)

  • Automatic format detection based on filename

  • Plugin-based architecture for custom formats

  • Enhanced cross-platform compatibility options

Alternative: Enhanced Export Command#

If you're interested in additional export formats and functionality, the conda export command offers enhanced capabilities:

Traditional (conda env export):

conda env export > environment.yml
conda env export --from-history > environment.yml

Enhanced (conda export):

conda export --format=environment-yaml > environment.yaml
conda export --from-history --format=environment-yaml > environment.yaml

The enhanced command provides additional features:

# Auto-detect format from filename
conda export --file=environment.yaml

# Export to different formats
conda export --format=environment-json --file=environment.json
conda export --format=explicit --file=explicit.txt

See Also#