Free lesson · Module 1: Setting up · about 10 min

1.2 Python and an editor, the easy way

A short video intro to the lesson. The full lesson videos come with the course in early 2027.

You need two things: Python, the language the desk is written in, and an editor to write it in. Both are free.

1. Install Python

Download Python 3.12 or newer from python.org. On Windows, tick "Add python.exe to PATH" on the first screen of the installer. Forgetting it is the most common setup problem.

Open a terminal (Terminal on a Mac, PowerShell on Windows) and check it worked:

python3 --version

On Windows the command may be python --version. If you see a version number, step one is done.

2. Install an editor

Install VS Code, make a folder called my-desk, and open it with File > Open Folder. Everything in this course lives in that one folder.

3. Install the libraries

In VS Code open a terminal (Terminal > New Terminal) and run:

python3 -m pip install alpaca-py pandas matplotlib python-dotenv

• alpaca-py talks to the broker.
• pandas handles tables of prices.
• matplotlib draws charts.
• python-dotenv keeps your keys out of your code (next lesson).

Checklist

• Python prints a version number
• VS Code is open on a folder called my-desk
• The four libraries installed without errors