How-to: Offline installation of Python plugins and packages in PyCharm on a Linux server

Background/Situation

The client is operating in an air-gapped environment where the Linux server does not have internet access. They require guidelines for the offline installation of necessary Python packages, system libraries, and PyCharm plugins.

Question

How to perform offline installation of Python packages, system libraries, and PyCharm plugins on a Linux server without internet connectivity?

Answer

Offline Installation of Python System Packages (e.g., tkinter)

1. Use a machine with internet access:

   • Ensure the machine matches the OS version of the offline server.

2. Download the required OS packages and dependencies:

   apt-get download python3-tk
   

3. Transfer the downloaded .deb files to the offline server:

   • Use a USB drive or any offline transfer mechanism.

4. Install the packages on the offline server:

   sudo dpkg -i *.deb
   sudo apt-get -f install
   

   • Note: Commands differ depending on the OS and package manager. For RPM-based distributions, use yum or dnf instead of apt-get.

Offline Installation of Python Packages Using pip

1. Download required Python packages and dependencies on an online machine:

   pip download <package-name> -d ./offline_packages
   

   Example:

   pip download numpy requests -d ./offline_packages
   

2. Transfer the offline_packages directory to the offline server.

3. Install the packages on the offline server:

   pip install --no-index --find-links=./offline_packages <package-name>
   

   Example:

   pip install --no-index --find-links=./offline_packages numpy requests
   

   • Reference: pip offline installation documentation.

Offline Installation of PyCharm Plugins

1. Download the plugin .zip file on an online machine:

   • Visit the JetBrains Plugin Repository and download the required plugin.

2. Transfer the .zip file to the offline server.

3. Install the plugin in PyCharm:

   • Open PyCharm.

   • Navigate to Settings Plugins ⚙ Install Plugin from Disk.

   • Locate and select the .zip file.

   • Reference: Installing Plugins from Disk.

These methods provide a comprehensive guide for offline package installation in compliance with air-gapped or isolated environments.