<ul data-eligibleForWebStory="true">The shebang line in a Python script allows it to be run as an executable command-line tool without needing to prefix it with 'python'.It consists of #! followed by the interpreter path, such as #!/usr/bin/env python3.Using '/usr/bin/env python3' makes the script more portable and environment-friendly as it searches for python3 in the user's current $PATH.To make a Python script executable, add the shebang line, give it execute permissions using 'chmod +x', and run it directly from the terminal.Moving the script to a directory in the $PATH allows it to be run from any location in the terminal.File extensions like .py become optional once the script has a shebang line and executable permissions.For scripts relying on virtual environments, the shebang can point directly to the virtual environment's Python interpreter path.By following these steps, Python scripts can behave like native Unix commands, becoming cleaner and more professional.The shebang line enhances script portability and usability, making them easier to share and run across different systems.Using #!/usr/bin/env python3 and making scripts executable are key practices for creating effective command-line utilities.