diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index e5f2d946..4dd46079 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -88,9 +88,7 @@ profile_default/
 ipython_config.py
 
 # pyenv
-#   For a library or package, you might want to ignore these files since the code is
-#   intended to run in multiple environments; otherwise, check them in:
-# .python-version
+.python-version
 
 # pipenv
 #   According to pypa/pipenv#598, it is recommended to include Pipfile.lock in version control.
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 5c1ab5e4..26e7b386 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ Thank you so much for showing interest in contributing to TagStudio! Here are a
 ### Prerequisites
 
 -   [Python](https://www.python.org/downloads/) 3.12
+-   [pyenv](https://github.com/pyenv/pyenv/) (If your system install of Python isn't 3.12 but you don't wish to upgrade/downgrade, otherwise ignore this.)
 -   [Ruff](https://github.com/astral-sh/ruff) (Included in `requirements-dev.txt`)
 -   [Mypy](https://github.com/python/mypy) (Included in `requirements-dev.txt`)
 -   [PyTest](https://docs.pytest.org) (Included in `requirements-dev.txt`)
@@ -49,15 +50,24 @@ If you wish to launch the source version of TagStudio outside of your IDE:
 > [!TIP]
 > On Linux and macOS, you can launch the `tagstudio.sh` script to skip the following process, minus the `requirements-dev.txt` installation step. _Using the script is fine if you just want to launch the program from source._
 
-1. In the root repository directory, create a python virtual environment:  
+1. Make sure you're using the correct Python version:
+   `python3 --version` (As described above)
+   -   If the output matches `Python 3.12.x` where the x is any number representing a patch update (Does not matter), then continue to step 2 and ignore the info below about pyenv, you won't need to install it either.
+   -   Otherwise, you probably want to use pyenv so you don't have to downgrade or upgrade your Python installation before continuing to step 2:
+      1. Follow the install instructions for your system on [the pyenv Github repository](https://github.com/pyenv/pyenv/).
+      2. Install the appropriate Python version with pyenv by running `pyenv install 3.12` (This will **not** mess with your existing Python install in any way).
+      3. Go into the root of this repository with a terminal, and run `pyenv local 3.12` to tell pyenv that Python 3.12 should be used in this folder (This will **not** mess with your existing Python install either, it only applies to this folder).
+      - You can also do `pyenv shell 3.12` or `pyenv global 3.12` instead to set the Python version for the current terminal session or the entire system respectively, but `local` is recommended.
+
+2. In the root repository directory, create a python virtual environment:  
    `python3 -m venv .venv`
-2. Activate your environment:
+3. Activate your environment:
 
 -   Windows w/Powershell: `.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1`
 -   Windows w/Command Prompt: `.venv\Scripts\activate.bat`
 -   Linux/macOS: `source .venv/bin/activate`
 
-3. Install the required packages:
+4. Install the required packages:
 
 -   `pip install -r requirements.txt`
 -   If developing (includes Ruff and Mypy): `pip install -r requirements-dev.txt`
@@ -65,6 +75,7 @@ If you wish to launch the source version of TagStudio outside of your IDE:
 _Learn more about setting up a virtual environment [here](https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/venv.html)._
 
 ### Manually Launching (Outside of an IDE)
+#### If you encounter errors about the Python version, or seemingly vague script errors, [pyenv](https://github.com/pyenv/pyenv/) may solve your issue, see step 1 of [Creating a Python Virtual Environment](#creating-a-python-virtual-environment)
 
 -   **Windows** (start_win.bat)