Python module commands

1. Installed packages

Show what pip has installed in the current environment:

python3 -m pip list

2. Details / dependencies for an installed package

Show details for a specific package pip has installed:

python3 -m pip show <package name>

3. Available modules / get module help

Shows the modules Python can import in the current environment:

python3 -m pydoc modules

Get help for a specific module:

python3 -m pydoc modules <module name>

Start a pydoc web server

Browse module documentation in a browser.

python3 -m pydoc -n <hostname> starts a server with a chosen host name.
python3 -m pydoc -p <port> starts a server on a chosen port.
python3 -m pydoc -b starts a server on an unused port and opens the browser.

python3 -m pydoc -b

4. Where a module comes from

Shows the file path Python uses for a module. A path under your Python install directory usually means the standard library; a path under site-packages/ usually means a package installed with pip; a path in your project folder usually means a local module.

python3 -c "import <module name>; print(<module name>.__file__)"

Example:

python3 -c "import http; print(http.__file__)"

5. Python import search path

Shows where Python looks for modules:

python3 -c "import sys; print('\n'.join(sys.path))"

6. Package contents

Show contents of a package:

python3 -c "import <package name>, pkgutil; print('\n'.join(sorted(m.name for m in pkgutil.iter_modules(<package name>.__path__))))"