Basic installation¶

Follow the steps below if you will use idmtools to run and analyze simulations, but will not make source code changes.

Open a command prompt and create a virtual environment in any directory you choose. The command below names the environment “idmtools”, but you may use any desired name:
```
python -m venv idmtools
```
Activate the virtual environment:
- Windows
- Linux
Enter the following:
idmtools\Scripts\activate
Enter the following:
source idmtools/bin/activate
Install idmtools packages:
```
pip install idmtools[idm] --index-url=https://packages.idmod.org/api/pypi/pypi-production/simple
```
Note

When reinstalling idmtools you should use the --no-cache-dir and --force-reinstall options, such as: pip install idmtools[idm] --index-url=https://packages.idmod.org/api/pypi/pipi-production/simple --no-cache-dir --force-reinstall. Otherwise, you may see the error, idmtools not found, when attempting to open and run one of the example Python scripts.
Verify installation by pulling up idmtools help:
```
idmtools --help
```
When you are finished, deactivate the virtual environment by entering the following at a command prompt:
```
deactivate
```