Getting Started· 15 min

Windows setup

What you'll learn
  • ▸Install Python on Windows with PATH enabled
  • ▸Activate a venv in PowerShell
  • ▸Run a Session 1 script end-to-end on Windows

Windows uses different commands for venv activation and path separators. Use PowerShell (not the old cmd.exe) for the best experience.

1. Install Python

  1. Download Python 3.12 from https://python.org/downloads/windows/
  2. During install, CHECK the box "Add Python to PATH" — this is critical.
  3. Open a new PowerShell window and run: python --version

2. Create a virtual environment

$ cd $HOME\Documents\AICourse\Session1
$ python -m venv .venv
$ .\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
Execution policy error?
If PowerShell blocks the activate script, run this once: Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

3. Install dependencies

$ pip install -r requirements.txt

4. Create your .env file

$ Copy-Item .env.example .env
$ notepad .env

Paste your OPENAI_API_KEY and save.

5. Run a script

$ python src\01_text_basic.py --prompt "hello"
Note the backslash (\) in Windows paths. On macOS/Linux the same command uses forward slashes.