Creating a YAML file from your current Conda environment is the standard way to capture and share Python environment configurations. Whether you are setting up reproducible data science pipelines, sharing dependencies with your team, or deploying to a new machine, the conda env export command gives you a complete snapshot in a portable YAML file.

Create a YML File from Your Current Conda Environment

The basic command exports your active environment to a YAML file:

conda activate myenv
conda env export > environment.yml

This creates environment.yml in your current directory. The file contains the environment name, all conda channels in priority order, and every installed package with its exact version and build string.

Export Only Explicitly Installed Packages

The default export includes every dependency — including auto-installed ones — with platform-specific build strings. For a cleaner, cross-platform file that only includes packages you explicitly installed:

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

This produces a much shorter file that works across Mac, Linux, and Windows without modification.

Export Without Build Strings for Better Portability

conda env export --no-builds > environment.yml

This keeps exact version numbers but removes the platform-specific build hash, making the file usable on other operating systems while still pinning all package versions.

Recreate the Environment from the YML File

conda env create -f environment.yml

Conda reads the YAML file and creates a new environment matching the specification. To update an existing environment from a changed YML file:

conda env update -f environment.yml --prune

Editing the Exported YML File

The exported YAML file is human-editable. Common edits before committing to version control include removing the prefix: line at the bottom (which contains your local install path and is machine-specific), adjusting channel priorities, and removing packages you don’t need reproduced. If the YML file has indentation issues after manual editing, Format Pilot’s YAML formatter can validate and fix the structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between environment.yml and environment.yaml?

There is no functional difference — both are YAML files. Conda accepts both .yml and .yaml extensions. The .yml extension is the Conda convention used in most documentation and tutorials, while .yaml is the full YAML file extension used in most other contexts.

Should I commit environment.yml to Git?

Yes — committing your environment YAML to version control is best practice. It allows teammates and CI systems to recreate your exact environment. Use --from-history or --no-builds for cross-platform projects. Remove the prefix: line before committing to keep the file machine-agnostic.