Installation Setup Guide

Quick setup for Python development with Git and VS Code.

What We'll Install:

  • Python - Programming language

  • Git - Version control

  • SSH Keys - Secure authentication

  • VS Code - Code editor

Python Installation

🪟 Windows

  1. Go to https://www.python.org/downloads/

  2. Click "Download Python 3.x.x"

  3. Run the installer

  4. Check "Add Python to PATH"

  5. Click "Install Now"

If needed, run this command in PowerShell as Administrator:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

🐧 Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip

🍎 macOS

# Install Homebrew first if needed
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

# Install Python
brew install python

Verify installation: 

python --version
pip --version

Git Installation & Setup

Install Git

🪟 Windows: Download from https://git-scm.com/download/win and install

🐧 Linux: 

sudo apt install git

🍎 macOS: 

brew install git

Configure Git

git config --global user.name "GithubUsername"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

Setup SSH Key

# Generate SSH key
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "[email protected]"

# Test connection
ssh -T [email protected]

Add your SSH key to GitHub:

  1. Copy the public key: cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

    • C:\Users\path.ssh\id_ed25519.pub(For Windows)

  2. Go to GitHub Settings → SSH Keys

  3. Paste and save

VS Code Setup

Install VS Code

  1. Go to https://code.visualstudio.com/

  2. Download for your operating system

  3. Install with default settings

Essential Extensions

Install these extensions for Python development:

  • Python (Microsoft)

  • Pylance (Microsoft)

  • Python Extension Pack (Microsoft)

  • GitLens (GitKraken)

  • Jupyter (Microsoft)

How to install extensions:

  1. Open VS Code

  2. Click Extensions icon (squares) on left sidebar

  3. Search for extension name

  4. Click "Install"

Virtual Environment Setup

Create Virtual Environment

# Create virtual environment
python -m venv env

# Activate virtual environment
# Windows:
env\Scripts\activate

# Linux/macOS:
source env/bin/activate

Install Packages in Virtual Environment

# After activating virtual environment
pip install uv

uv pip install ipykernel numpy pandas matplotlib

# To deactivate virtual environment
deactivate

Jupyter Notebooks in VS Code

Create Jupyter Notebook in VS Code

  1. Open VS Code

  2. Create new file: Ctrl+N (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+N (Mac)

  3. Save as .ipynb file: Ctrl+S → name it test.ipynb

  4. VS Code will automatically open it as a Jupyter notebook

Select Python Kernel

  1. Click "Select Kernel" in top-right of notebook

  2. Choose "Python Environments"

  3. Select your virtual environment or system Python

  4. Start coding in cells!

Basic Usage

  • Add cell: Click + Code or + Markdown

  • Run cell: Shift+Enter | Alt+Enter | Ctrl+Enter

  • Run all cells: Ctrl+Shift+P → "Run All Cells"

Test Your Setup

Run these commands to verify everything works:

Test in terminal: 

# Check Python
python --version

# Check Git  
git --version

# Check Git config
git config --global --list

# Test SSH connection to GitHub
ssh -T [email protected]

# Test virtual environment
python -m venv test_env
# Windows: test_env\Scripts\activate
# Linux/macOS: source test_env/bin/activate

# Test creating .ipynb file in VS Code
# 1. Open VS Code
# 2. Create new file (Ctrl+N)
# 3. Save as test.ipynb
# 4. Select Python kernel
# 5. Start coding!

You're ready to start coding!