Install Python and an IDE

This guide gets you from zero to a working Python setup in under 15 minutes.

## 1. Download Python

Go to **python.org/downloads** and download the latest version for your OS.
On Windows, **check the box that says "Add Python to PATH"** before clicking
Install Now.

On macOS, the installer just runs through — no extra checkboxes.

On Linux, Python is usually already installed. Run `python3 --version` in a
terminal to confirm.

## 2. Verify the install

Open a terminal (Command Prompt on Windows) and run:

```
python --version
```

You should see something like `Python 3.12.x`. If you don't, restart the
terminal and try again.

## 3. Pick an editor

You have two solid choices:

- **VS Code** — lightweight, fast, free. Install the official **Python**
extension by Microsoft after first launch.
- **PyCharm Community** — heavier, but bundles everything (debugger,
virtual envs, refactoring) out of the box.

Both are free. Either is fine for the work we cover.

## 4. Run your first script

Create a file called `hello.py` with one line:

```python
print("Habari, Weledi!")
```

Open a terminal in that folder and run `python hello.py`. You should see
the greeting printed. That's it — you're set up.

## What's next

The next article covers virtual environments and `pip install`. Don't
skip it — every Python project you'll touch uses both.