diff --git a/xonsh/python.xsh b/xonsh/python.xsh
index ed818d2..35c41aa 100644
--- a/xonsh/python.xsh
+++ b/xonsh/python.xsh
@@ -14,4 +14,10 @@ def _vv():
         d = d.parent
 
 
+def _setup_python_direnv():
+    echo "layout python3" >> .envrc
+    direnv allow
+
+
 aliases["vv"] = _vv
+aliases["penv"] = _setup_python_direnv