Add full anaconda package list to existing conda environment

Question

I know how to add single packages and I know that the conda create command supports adding a new environment with all anaconda packages installed.

But how can I add all anaconda packages to an existing environment?

Answer 1

I was able to solve the problem as following:

1. Create a helper env with anaconda: conda create -n env_name anaconda
2. Activate that env conda activate env_name
3. Export packages into specification file: conda list --explicit > spec-file.txt
4. Activate the target environment: activate target_env_name
5. Import that specification file: conda install --file spec-file.txt