[Python] Prevent conda from using the defaults channel in `conda update conda`

Conda apparently is trying to use the defaults channel when I run

conda update conda


or

conda create --name python python pyaml pytest


The output is:

Channels:
- conda-forge
- bioconda
- nodefaults
- defaults
Platform: osx-arm64
...


I do not want to use the defaults channel. My ~/.condarc file is:

channels:
- conda-forge
- bioconda
- nodefaults
auto_activate_base: false


I am using conda 25.3.1 running on macOS Sequoia 15.3.2.

See also:


These related posts did not solve my issue:

• How do I completely purge and disable the default channel in Anaconda and switch to conda-forge?
• Forbid usage of defaults channel in Conda

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