example-projects/reference/python/installing-python.md

Installing Python

You only need this if your project leads you into Python. Skip it otherwise.

Windows

1. Open your browser and go to https://www.python.org/downloads/
2. Click the big yellow "Download Python 3.x.x" button.
3. Run the installer. Important: on the first screen, check the box that says "Add Python to PATH" before clicking Install Now.
4. Click Install Now and follow the prompts.

Verify:

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, press Enter.
2. Run:

   python --version
   

   You should see something like Python 3.12.0. If not, try python3 --version.

Mac

Mac may already have Python 2 installed, but we need Python 3.

Option A — direct download:

1. Go to https://www.python.org/downloads/
2. Click "Download Python 3.x.x" and run the .pkg installer.

Option B — Homebrew (recommended if you'll code regularly):

1. Open Terminal (Cmd + Space, type "Terminal", Enter).
2. Install Homebrew:

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

3. Install Python:

   brew install python
   

Verify in Terminal:

python3 --version

Linux

Python 3 is almost certainly already installed. Check:

python3 --version

If not, install it through your distribution's package manager (apt, dnf, pacman, etc.).

A note on python vs python3

On Mac and Linux, python may not exist or may point to Python 2. Use python3 if python doesn't work. They refer to the same interpreter on most modern systems — it's just a naming difference.