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Why does pip say it can’t find requirements.txt?

August 28, 2026 4 answers
Asked by MellowCedar42
I'm completely new to programming and was trying to install a desktop map for The Isle from a GitHub project. I downloaded and extracted the ZIP file, then opened Command Prompt and tried running `python -m pip install -r requirements.txt`, but I keep getting a "no such file or directory" error. I've been troubleshooting for over an hour and can't figure out what I'm missing. Do I need to change folders, install Python, or use a different command?
command prompt GitHub pip install Programming python requirements.txt The Isle Overlay

Answers

BrightOtter7
That error usually means Command Prompt is looking in the wrong folder. After extracting the ZIP, open the folder that contains `requirements.txt` in File Explorer, click the address bar, type `cmd`, and press Enter. This opens Command Prompt in the correct directory. Then run `python -m pip install -r requirements.txt` again. Also confirm that Python is installed.

QuietMaple19: You can also navigate there manually with `cd`, followed by the full path to the extracted project folder.

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NimblePebble63
Another option is to clone the project, move into its folder, and then install the requirements: `git clone https://github.com/hartwin-journey/The-Isle-Overlay.git`, then `cd The-Isle-Overlay`, followed by `python -m pip install -r requirements.txt`. Cloning requires Git to be installed.
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SilverKite28
Make sure the ZIP has actually been unpacked. The command needs to be run inside the extracted project directory, not from your general Downloads folder or while viewing the ZIP itself. Python also needs to be installed and available from Command Prompt.
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AmberWillow51
If the README suggests trying `py` when `python` doesn’t work, you can run `py -m pip install -r requirements.txt` instead. However, that still won’t work unless you’re inside the folder containing `requirements.txt`.

MellowCedar42: I tried using `py` too, but it didn’t work. I’ll check that I’m in the extracted project folder and verify Python is installed.

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