> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.expectedparrot.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation

> Install EDSL in a Python environment and verify the installation.

EDSL requires Python 3.10–3.13. The steps below install it on your computer so you can work in a Python notebook or script. If you prefer a browser-based notebook without local setup, use [Google Colab](https://docs.expectedparrot.com/en/latest/colab_setup.md).

Run the following commands in a terminal. A virtual environment keeps the project's Python packages separate from those used by other projects.

## Create an environment

```bash theme={null}
python3 -m venv .venv
```

Activate it on macOS or Linux:

```bash theme={null}
source .venv/bin/activate
```

On Windows PowerShell:

```powershell theme={null}
.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
```

## Install and verify

```bash theme={null}
python -m pip install edsl
ep info
```

`ep info` reports the installed version and configuration, with credentials redacted. If `ep` is unavailable, use `python -m edsl info` in the same environment.

You can now construct EDSL objects and use the test model. Continue to the [Run your first survey](https://docs.expectedparrot.com/en/latest/starter_tutorial.md) tutorial or [CLI Guide](https://docs.expectedparrot.com/en/latest/cli.md). [Model access](https://docs.expectedparrot.com/en/latest/api_keys.md) is needed for real model calls; installation itself does not require an Expected Parrot account.

## Upgrade EDSL

Upgrade an existing installation with:

```bash theme={null}
python -m pip install --upgrade edsl
```


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