Django

Dev Starter Kit — Beginner Guide

Luv Baniya

Dev Starter Kit — Beginner Guide
Dev Starter Kit — Beginner Guide
Setup Guide

Your First Dev Environment

Install VSCode, set up Python, and learn essential terminal commands — a complete beginner's walkthrough from zero to running code.

Python VSCode Terminal pip Beginner
From zero to running
your first Python script
🖥️
SECTION 01
Install Visual Studio Code
1
Download VSCode

Visit the official site and download the installer for your OS:

🔗 code.visualstudio.com/download

💡Always get the Stable Build — available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
2
Run the Installer

Windows: Double-click VSCodeSetup.exe → accept licence → Next → Install → Finish.

macOS: Open the .dmg → drag Visual Studio Code into Applications.

Linux (Ubuntu / Debian):

bash
sudo apt install ./code_*.deb
3
Open the Integrated Terminal

Launch VSCode. Open the built-in terminal with:

shortcut
Ctrl + `  (backtick)    ← opens the terminal panel inside VSCode
4
Install Essential Extensions

Press Ctrl + Shift + X → search and install these:

Pythonby Microsoft — core language support
PylanceSmart autocomplete & type hints
GitLensGit blame and history inline
PrettierAuto-formats code on save
Material Icon ThemeClean colourful file icons
indent-rainbowColour-codes indentation
🐍
SECTION 02
Install Python
1
Download Python

Get the latest stable version:

🔗 python.org/downloads

⚠️Windows: On the very first screen tick ✅ "Add Python to PATH" before clicking Install Now — this is critical!
2
Install via Terminal (Linux / macOS)

macOS with Homebrew:

bash
brew install python

Ubuntu / Debian:

bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip
💡On Linux/macOS use python3 instead of python to invoke Python 3.
SECTION 03
Verify Your Installation
1
Check Python Version
bash
python --version
# Linux / macOS:
python3 --version
Expected: Python 3.12.x (any 3.x is fine)
2
Check pip
bash
pip --version
# or
pip3 --version
Expected: pip 24.x from /usr/local/lib/... (python 3.x)
3
Check VSCode Version
bash
code --version

Or inside VSCode: Help → About.

📝
SECTION 04
Write & Run Your First Script
1
Create a Project Folder

In VSCode: File → Open Folder → create or pick a folder (e.g. my-projects). Click the New File icon in the Explorer sidebar and name the file hello.py.

2
Write Hello World
python
# My first Python program
print("Hello, World!")
print("I am learning Python 🐍")

name = input("What is your name? ")
print(f"Nice to meet you, {name}!")
3
Run the Script
bash
python hello.py
# Hello, World!
# I am learning Python 🐍
# What is your name? _
🚀You can also click the ▶️ Run Python File button in the top-right corner of VSCode for an instant run!
📦
SECTION 05
pip — Install & Manage Packages
1
Install a Package
bash
pip install requests    # HTTP library
pip install numpy       # numbers & arrays
pip install flask       # simple web framework
2
List & Uninstall
bash
pip list                 # all installed packages
pip show requests        # info about one package
pip uninstall requests   # remove a package
3
Save & Restore Dependencies
bash
pip freeze > requirements.txt    # save packages list
pip install -r requirements.txt  # restore on another machine
💡Share requirements.txt with teammates so everyone runs the same versions.
⌨️
SECTION 06
Essential Terminal Commands
1
Navigation & File Management
bash
pwd                   # print current directory path
ls                    # list files (Linux/macOS)
dir                   # list files (Windows)
cd my-folder          # enter a folder
cd ..                 # go up one level
mkdir new-folder      # create new folder
touch hello.py        # create empty file (Linux/macOS)
echo. > hello.py      # create empty file (Windows)
rm hello.py           # delete file (Linux/macOS)
del hello.py          # delete file (Windows)
clear                 # clear the screen
2
VSCode Keyboard Shortcuts
ShortcutAction
Ctrl + SSave file
Ctrl + ZUndo
Ctrl + /Toggle line comment
Ctrl + DSelect next occurrence
Ctrl + PQuick open any file
Ctrl + Shift + PCommand palette
Ctrl + `Toggle integrated terminal
Alt + ↑ / ↓Move line up / down
Ctrl + Shift + KDelete current line
F5Run / debug current file
What to learn next
🎉

You're Dev-Ready!

VSCode installed, Python running, first script done — you're officially a developer. Keep building!

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