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For specific projects/research focuses, create specific libraries and or conda environments (with everything installed within that conda environment) to localize used packages/versions.
Regularly track/update what packages you’re using (install.packages / conda install r-<package-name>) and their versions.
Be mindful of dependencies that a package additional installs.
Be mindful when prompted whether you want to update dependencies or not.
Avoid trying to have a behemoth of a single environment - consider have a number of independent environments/libraries that can be more easily managed and shared along a workflow/pipeline.
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