diff --git a/docs/guide/conf.py b/docs/guide/conf.py
index 33ce181ac..82f857c59 100644
--- a/docs/guide/conf.py
+++ b/docs/guide/conf.py
@@ -63,10 +63,14 @@ rst_prolog = """
 # Add any Sphinx extension module names here, as strings. They can be
 # extensions coming with Sphinx (named 'sphinx.ext.*') or your custom
 # ones.
+#
 # To install:
 #   sudo install enchant
-#   sudo pip3 install sphinx sphinx_rtd_theme breathe sphinxcontrib-spelling
-# We keep this list empty for now to avoid needing dependencies
+#   python3 -m venv --system-site-packages ~/.verilator_pyenv
+#   source ~/.verilator_pyenv/bin/activate
+#   pip3 install sphinx sphinx_rtd_theme sphinxcontrib-spelling breathe
+#
+# We keep this extensions list empty for now to avoid needing dependencies
 extensions = []
 # extensions = ['breathe', 'sphinxcontrib.spelling']
 
diff --git a/docs/guide/install.rst b/docs/guide/install.rst
index aa73b7e99..4dd2fd3c3 100644
--- a/docs/guide/install.rst
+++ b/docs/guide/install.rst
@@ -158,9 +158,15 @@ Those developing Verilator itself also need these (see internals.rst):
 
    sudo apt-get install clang clang-format-18 cmake gdb gprof graphviz lcov
    sudo apt-get install python3-clang python3-distro yapf3 bear jq
-   sudo pip3 install sphinx sphinx_rtd_theme sphinxcontrib-spelling breathe gersemi mbake ruff sarif-tools
-   sudo pip3 install git+https://github.com/antmicro/astsee.git
+   python3 -m venv --system-site-packages ~/.verilator_pyenv
+   source ~/.verilator_pyenv/bin/activate
+   pip3 install sphinx sphinx_rtd_theme sphinxcontrib-spelling breathe gersemi mbake ruff
+   pip3 install git+https://github.com/antmicro/astsee.git
+   pipx install sarif-tools
    cpan install Pod::Perldoc
+   #
+   # Later, when building or testing Verilator, you will need
+   source ~/.verilator_pyenv/bin/activate
 
 
 Install SystemC