Coming from pixi global#

pixi global is pixi’s excellent built-in tool manager. If you’re already familiar with it, this guide maps each command to its conda-global equivalent — the concepts are very similar since conda-global’s design is directly inspired by pixi.

Command mapping#

pixi global	conda-global	Notes
`pixi global install <pkg>`	`conda global install <pkg>`
`pixi global remove <pkg>`	`conda global uninstall -e <pkg>`
`pixi global update <pkg>`	`conda global update -e <pkg>`
`pixi global update-all`	`conda global update`	Skips pinned tools
`pixi global list`	`conda global list`	Also supports `--json`
`pixi global expose add <mapping>`	`conda global expose <mapping> -e <env>`
`pixi global expose remove <name>`	`conda global hide <name> -e <env>`
`pixi global sync`	`conda global sync`	Same concept
`pixi global edit`	`conda global edit`	Opens the manifest in `$EDITOR`
—	`conda global run <pkg>`	Ephemeral run without permanent install
—	`conda global add <dep> -e <env>`	Add a dependency to an existing env
—	`conda global remove <dep> -e <env>`	Remove a dependency
—	`conda global pin -e <env>`	Prevent upgrades
—	`conda global tree -e <env>`	Show dependency tree
—	`conda global ensurepath`	Add bin dir to PATH

Key differences#

Solver

pixi uses the rattler solver. conda-global uses conda’s solver infrastructure (and respects solver plugins like conda-rattler-solver). Both solve against the same conda channels and produce compatible environments.

Integration

pixi is a polished standalone tool with its own CLI and ecosystem. conda-global is a conda plugin — it runs as conda global, sharing conda’s configuration, channels, and authentication.

Manifest location

pixi global stores its manifest at ~/.pixi/manifests/pixi-global.toml. conda-global uses global.toml in the data directory. The formats are different.

Launcher

Both use compiled trampoline binaries for zero-overhead execution. conda-global uses Rust trampolines with hardlinks, similar to pixi’s approach.

Extra commands

conda-global adds run (ephemeral execution), pin/unpin, tree, and ensurepath which pixi global does not have.

Shorthand

conda-global provides a cg alias for faster typing:

cg install ruff    # same as conda global install ruff

Migration workflow#

List your pixi global tools:
```
pixi global list
```

Install each one with conda-global:

conda global install ruff
conda global install gh
conda global install bat

Verify they work:

ruff --version
gh --version
bat --version

Make sure conda-global’s bin directory is on PATH:
```
conda global ensurepath
```

Once satisfied, remove the pixi versions:

pixi global remove ruff
pixi global remove gh
pixi global remove bat

When to keep pixi global#

pixi global is a great choice and there is no need to switch if:

You use pixi as your primary workflow tool — pixi global integrates seamlessly with the rest of the pixi experience
You use pixi’s project-level features (pixi.toml workspaces) and want one tool for everything
You don’t use conda or prefer pixi’s solver and UX

conda-global is designed for users who already use conda as their package manager and want tool management integrated into the conda CLI, sharing conda’s configuration, channels, and solver plugins.