---
title: Install Streamlit using command line
slug: /get-started/installation/command-line
---

# Install Streamlit using command line

This page will walk you through creating an environment with `venv` and installing Streamlit with `pip`. These are our recommended tools, but if you are familiar with others you can use your favorite ones too. At the end, you'll build a simple "Hello world" app and run it. If you prefer to have a graphical interface to manage your Python environments, check out how to [Install Streamlit using Anaconda Distribution](/get-started/installation/anaconda-distribution).

## Prerequisites

As with any programming tool, in order to install Streamlit you first need to make sure your
computer is properly set up. More specifically, you’ll need:

1. **Python**

   We support [version 3.8 to 3.12](https://www.python.org/downloads/).

1. **A Python environment manager** (recommended)

   Environment managers create virtual environments to isolate Python package installations between
   projects.

   We recommend using virtual environments because installing or upgrading a Python package may
   cause unintentional effects on another package. For a detailed introduction to Python
   environments, check out
   [Python Virtual Environments: A Primer](https://realpython.com/python-virtual-environments-a-primer/).

   For this guide, we'll be using `venv`, which comes with Python.

1. **A Python package manager**

   Package managers handle installing each of your Python packages, including Streamlit.

   For this guide, we'll be using `pip`, which comes with Python.

1. **Only on MacOS: Xcode command line tools**

   Download Xcode command line tools using [these instructions](https://mac.install.guide/commandlinetools/4.html)
   in order to let the package manager install some of Streamlit's dependencies.

1. **A code editor**

   Our favorite editor is [VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/download), which is also what we use in
   all our tutorials.

## Create an environment using `venv`

1. Open a terminal and navigate to your project folder.

   ```bash
   cd myproject
   ```

2. In your terminal, type:

   ```bash
   python -m venv .venv
   ```

3. A folder named ".venv" will appear in your project. This directory is where your virtual environment and its dependencies are installed.

## Activate your environment

4. In your terminal, activate your environment with one of the following commands, depending on your operating system.

   ```bash
   # Windows command prompt
   .venv\Scripts\activate.bat

   # Windows PowerShell
   .venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

   # macOS and Linux
   source .venv/bin/activate
   ```

5. Once activated, you will see your environment name in parentheses before your prompt. "(.venv)"

## Install Streamlit in your environment

6. In the terminal with your environment activated, type:

   ```bash
   pip install streamlit
   ```

7. Test that the installation worked by launching the Streamlit Hello example app:

   ```bash
   streamlit hello
   ```

   If this doesn't work, use the long-form command:

   ```bash
   python -m streamlit hello
   ```

8. Streamlit's Hello app should appear in a new tab in your web browser!
   <Cloud src="https://doc-mpa-hello.streamlit.app/?embed=true" height="700" />
9. Close your terminal when you are done.

## Create a "Hello World" app and run it

10. Create a file named `app.py` in your project folder.

```python
import streamlit as st

st.write("Hello world")
```

11. Any time you want to use your new environment, you first need to go to your project folder (where the `.venv` directory lives) and run the command to activate it:

```bash
# Windows command prompt
.venv\Scripts\activate.bat

# Windows PowerShell
.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

# macOS and Linux
source .venv/bin/activate
```

12. Once activated, you will see your environment's name in parentheses at the beginning of your terminal prompt. "(.venv)"

13. Run your Streamlit app.

```bash
streamlit run app.py
```

If this doesn't work, use the long-form command:

```bash
python -m streamlit run app.py
```

14. To stop the Streamlit server, press `Ctrl+C` in the terminal.

15. When you're done using this environment, return to your normal shell by typing:

```bash
deactivate
```

## What's next?

Read about our [Basic concepts](/get-started/fundamentals/main-concepts) to understand Streamlit's dataflow model.