Why do I need to cabal install cabal-install in every new sandbox?

Question

Every time I make a new cabal sandbox and run cabal update to get the latest package list, I'm prompted about the availability of a new version of cabal. So I install it in the sandbox using cabal install cabal-install .

I think to myself, I should install this new version globally too, outside of the sandbox. So I leave the sandbox and cabal install cabal-install again.

I expected that this would carry over to the next new sandbox, but it doesn't. Is there any way to make it carry over to save the time of reinstalling it in every new sandbox?

Answer 1

Installing cabal via cabal install cabal-install globally results in a new binary in your home folder in ~/.cabal .

As long as this path is not included in $PATH , the default installed cabal from eg /usr/bin will get executed, which will result in the warning of a new available version.