python - Do newly created conda envs inherit all packages from the base env?

Question

I installed Anaconda and created a new env ("dell_proj"). Then I created a new Project in Pycharm with my new environment. My expectation was that I would only be able to use packages in this project that I installed through Conda in that specific env, however, I am able to use all packages that were installed in the Base environment.

Packages shown available in Conda for env

Packages shown available in Pycharm for env

Could somebody explain what I'm misunderstanding here?

Answer 1

You can create a clone of the base environment using conda create --name dell_proj --clone base. This will create a new environment that is a copy of your base environment.

If you created the new environment using something like conda create --name dell_proj, it will not inherit packages from the base environment. You would have to install the packages you want using conda install.