The name of the conda environment in the contributing guide is generic

[zdgriffith]

In the contributing guide, you are instructed to make an environment test_env:

# Create and activate the build environment
conda env create -f ci/requirements/py36.yml
conda activate test_env

# or with older versions of Anaconda:
source activate test_env

# Build and install xarray
pip install -e . 

I think having the name be xarray_test_env would be clearer for people new to working with conda environments and using multiple projects.

[rabernat]

I am 👍 on this. I often run into conda env conflicts related to this generic name.

PR welcome if you would like to change it. You will probable need to edit our CI as well.

https://github.com/pydata/xarray/blob/master/ci/azure/install.yml#L31-L34

[mmartini-usgs]

seconded the name xarray_test_env since you do use xarray_docs for the docs environment

[zdgriffith]

@mmartini-usgs good point - it looks like xarray-docs so maybe just xarray-tests? I can definitely make a PR.