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How to Solve "No such file or directory: 'requirements.txt'" with pip

The error "Could not open requirements file: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'requirements.txt'" when using pip install -r requirements.txt means that pip can not find the requirements.txt file in the current working directory, or at the specified path.

This guide explains the common causes of this error and provides clear solutions.

Understanding the Error​

The pip install -r requirements.txt command tells pip to install the Python packages listed in a file named requirements.txt. This file is a standard way to specify project dependencies. The error message No such file or directory means that pip can't locate the requirements.txt file where it expects to find it. By default, that location is the current working directory.

Common Causes and Solutions​

Incorrect Working Directory​

The most common cause is that your terminal (or command prompt) is not in the same directory as your requirements.txt file. pip looks for the file in the current working directory unless you provide a full path.

Solution: Use the cd (change directory) command to navigate to the directory that contains your requirements.txt file. Then run the pip install -r requirements.txt command again.

# Example:
cd /path/to/your/project # Navigate to the correct directory
pip install -r requirements.txt
  • This will change your current directory to where the requirements.txt file is located.

File Doesn't Exist / Typo in Filename​

The requirements.txt file might not exist, or there might be a typo in the filename.

Solution:

  • Double-check that a file named requirements.txt (case-sensitive) actually exists in the directory you're in. Use ls (Linux/macOS) or dir (Windows) to list the files in the current directory.
  • If the file doesn't exist, you need to create it.
  • If there's a typo, correct it in the pip install -r command.

Incorrect Path​

You might be providing an incorrect path to the requirements.txt file. This is especially relevant if you're not in the same directory as the file.

Solution:

  • If the file is in the same directory as your terminal's current location, just use requirements.txt (no path needed).
  • If it's in a different directory, provide the correct relative or absolute path. For example: 
    pip install -r ../myproject/requirements.txt  # Relative path
    pip install -r /home/user/myproject/requirements.txt  # Absolute path (Linux/macOS)
    pip install -r C:\Users\user\myproject\requirements.txt # Absolute path (Windows)

Using Wrong Command in Dockerfile​

If you're getting this error inside a Dockerfile, the issue is often related to how you're copying the file or running the command. The working directory inside the Docker build context is important.

  • Incorrect:

    # Dockerfile (INCORRECT)
    RUN pip freeze > requirements.txt #Creates file at root level
    COPY . /app
    WORKDIR /app
    RUN pip install -r requirements.txt # File is NOT in /app
    • The requirements.txt file is created, but not in the place where the next command attempts to read it.

  • Correct (Option 1 - COPY before RUN):

    # Dockerfile (CORRECT)
    COPY requirements.txt /app/requirements.txt  # Copy *before* installing
    WORKDIR /app
    RUN pip install -r requirements.txt

  • Correct (Option 2 - Generate in the right place):

    # Dockerfile (ALSO CORRECT)
    WORKDIR /app
    COPY . /app
    RUN pip freeze > requirements.txt  # Create it *inside* /app
    RUN pip install -r requirements.txt

Creating a requirements.txt File​

If you don't have a requirements.txt file, you need to create one. The standard way to do this is with pip freeze:

pip freeze > requirements.txt

# Or with pip3, if needed:
pip3 freeze > requirements.txt
  • This command is best used in a virtual environment, as pip freeze will save all installed packages and their versions into the requirements.txt file.

Installing from a requirements.txt File​

Once you have a requirements.txt file, install the dependencies with:

pip install -r requirements.txt

# Or, for Python 3:
pip3 install -r requirements.txt

# Or, more explicitly:
python -m pip install -r requirements.txt
python3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt
py -m pip install -r requirements.txt # On windows

Specifying a Path to requirements.txt​

If requirements.txt is not in your current directory, provide the path:

pip install -r /path/to/your/requirements.txt
pip3 install -r /path/to/your/requirements.txt # If using pip3

Conclusion​

The No such file or directory: 'requirements.txt' error is usually a simple issue of being in the wrong directory or having a typo in the filename or path.

By carefully checking your current working directory, the file's existence, and the path you're providing to pip, you can quickly resolve this error.

Remember to create the requirements file if one doesn't already exist, and if using Docker, place the command at the correct place in your Dockerfile.

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