> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://bellflight.gitbook.io/vertical-robotics-competition/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://bellflight.gitbook.io/vertical-robotics-competition/hardware/laptop-setup/install-anaconda.md).

# Install Anaconda

**Anaconda will allow us to create what's called a** [**virtual environment**](https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/why-you-need-python-environments-and-how-to-manage-them-with-conda-85f155f4353c/)**, which will contain all of the necessary python libraries we need to develop for the VRC platform.**

You can find the download links [here](https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual).

{% hint style="info" %}
Install the Graphical Installer for Windows.
{% endhint %}

![](https://734487356-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MObZEFR6zG-gnkxXVBb%2F-MXtB1ztM5-uq2T9XW5y%2F-MXtBxTpNgvvL0KOCLSg%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=b9bba70f-7aff-41cd-b826-08ce8c4fa1c6)

{% hint style="info" %}
Use the default options presented by the installer.
{% endhint %}

With Anaconda now installed, press the Windows key, search for "anaconda" and click "Anaconda Navigator".

![](https://734487356-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MObZEFR6zG-gnkxXVBb%2F-MXtB1ztM5-uq2T9XW5y%2F-MXtCeKJxGa04iMbNfew%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=de9790d2-86a1-4ba3-9547-a5e73447f4c3)

Click "Environments" on the left-hand side.

![](https://734487356-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MObZEFR6zG-gnkxXVBb%2F-MXtB1ztM5-uq2T9XW5y%2F-MXtClZMIrjkuuzcRlBH%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=3c8128fb-fc3c-440e-a8e7-18600b9e1232)

Click "Import" and select the file `PCC/Python/environment.yml` file from the repository you cloned in the previous step. This will create your Python virtual environment and download all the necessary packages we need to begin developing.

![](https://734487356-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MObZEFR6zG-gnkxXVBb%2F-MXtB1ztM5-uq2T9XW5y%2F-MXtCwLEYppF-xx7njCx%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=f36c896a-5592-4da7-a25e-424e9c1ce74d)