Before session 01

Set up Python + VS Code

Ten minutes, once, and you're ready for every session after this. Follow the steps for your operating system — Miss Warda may have already done this with you, in which case: skip to the end and just double-check step 5.

01

Install Python

Go to python.org/downloads and download the latest version. Run the installer.

⚠️Don't skip this: tick the box that says "Add Python to PATH" at the bottom of the first installer screen — before clicking Install. This is the single most common setup mistake.

Go to python.org/downloads, download the macOS installer (.pkg), and run it — accept the defaults.

💡Already have Homebrew? brew install python works too.
02

Confirm it worked

Open a terminal — Command Prompt on Windows, Terminal on Mac — and run:

>python --version
$python3 --version

You should see something like Python 3.12.x. If you get a "not recognized" or "command not found" error, close the terminal fully and reopen it — if it still fails, you likely missed the PATH checkbox in step 1 and need to reinstall.

03

Install VS Code

Download it from code.visualstudio.com and install with default settings — it's free, and it's what we'll use every session.

04

Add the Python extension

Open VS Code → click the Extensions icon on the left sidebar (looks like four squares) → search "Python" → install the official one published by Microsoft.

💡This is what gives you code completion, error checking, and the "Run" button we'll use constantly.
05

Run your first file

In VS Code: File → New File, save it as hello.py, and paste this in:

print("I'm a Data Ninja now 🥷")

Hit the ▶ Run button in the top-right corner (or right-click in the editor → "Run Python File in Terminal"). If you see the message print at the bottom — you're fully set up.

06

Quick troubleshooting

  • "python is not recognized" (Windows) — reinstall Python and make sure "Add Python to PATH" is checked.
  • "python: command not found" (Mac) — use python3 instead of python everywhere.
  • VS Code doesn't show the Run button — make sure the Python extension is installed and you've opened a .py file.
  • Still stuck? — message us on Instagram @muneebslog or @xo_noirr and we'll sort it before the session.

That's it. You're dojo-ready 🥷

Bring your laptop with this working setup to the next session — 27 August. We'll take it from here.

Back to the Data Ninjas site →