Installation & Setup
EasyPeasy is a cross-platform Python library compatible with Python 3.11 through 3.13.
To install and set up EasyPeasy, we recommend using Pixi, a modern package manager for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Main benefits of using Pixi
- Ease of use: Pixi simplifies the installation process, making it accessible even for users with limited experience in package management.
- Python version control: Pixi allows specifying and managing different Python versions for each project, ensuring compatibility.
- Isolated environments: Pixi creates isolated environments for each project, preventing conflicts between different package versions.
- PyPI and Conda support: Pixi can install packages from both PyPI and Conda repositories, providing access to a wide range of libraries.
An alternative installation method using the traditional pip package manager is also provided.
Installing with Pixi recommended
This section describes the simplest way to set up EasyPeasy using Pixi.
Installing Pixi
- Install Pixi by following the instructions on the official Pixi Installation Guide.
Setting up EasyPeasy with Pixi
- Initialize a new Pixi project and navigate into it:
pixi init easypeasy cd easypeasy - Set the Python version for the Pixi environment (e.g., 3.13):
pixi add python=3.13 - Add EasyPeasy to the Pixi environment from PyPI:
pixi add --pypi easypeasy - Add a Pixi task to run EasyPeasy commands easily:
pixi task add easypeasy "python -m easypeasy"
Updating Pixi and EasyPeasy
- To update all packages in the Pixi environment, including EasyPeasy:
pixi update - To update Pixi itself to the latest version:
pixi self-update
Uninstalling Pixi
- Follow the official Pixi Guide.
Classical Installation
This section describes how to install EasyPeasy using the traditional method with pip. This approach is more flexible and suitable for users familiar with Python package management and virtual environments.
Warning
Currently, classical installation doesn't allow installing the GNU Scientific Library (GSL) dependency automatically. As a result, the calculation engine pdffit2 will not be available. To make it work, ensure that GSL is installed on your system.
Alternatively, consider using the Pixi installation method described in the Installing with Pixi section, which handles GSL installation automatically.
Environment Setup optional
We recommend using a virtual environment to isolate dependencies and avoid conflicts with system-wide packages. If any issues arise, you can simply delete and recreate the environment.
Creating and Activating a Virtual Environment:
- Create a new virtual environment:
python3 -m venv venv -
Activate the environment:
. venv/bin/activate. venv/bin/activate. venv/Scripts/activate # Windows with Unix-like shells .\venv\Scripts\activate.bat # Windows with CMD .\venv\Scripts\activate.ps1 # Windows with PowerShell -
The terminal should now show
(venv), indicating that the virtual environment is active.
Deactivating and Removing the Virtual Environment:
- Exit the environment:
deactivate -
If this environment is no longer needed, delete it:
rm -rf venvrm -rf venvrmdir /s /q venv
Installing from PyPI
EasyPeasy is available on PyPI (Python Package Index) and can be
installed using pip. To do so, use the following command:
pip install easypeasy
To install a specific version of EasyPeasy, e.g., 1.0.3:
pip install 'easypeasy==1.0.3'
To upgrade to the latest version:
pip install --upgrade easypeasy
To upgrade to the latest version and force reinstallation of all dependencies (useful if files are corrupted):
pip install --upgrade --force-reinstall easypeasy
To check the installed version:
pip show easypeasy
Installing from GitHub alternative
Installing unreleased versions is generally not recommended but may be useful for testing.
To install EasyPeasy from the develop branch of GitHub, for example:
pip install git+https://github.com/easyscience/peasy-lib@develop
To include extra dependencies (e.g., dev):
pip install 'easypeasy[dev] @ git+https://github.com/easyscience/peasy-lib@develop'
How to Run Tutorials
EasyPeasy includes a collection of Jupyter Notebook examples that demonstrate key functionality. These tutorials serve as step-by-step guides to help users understand the data analysis workflow. They are available as static HTML pages in the Tutorials section.
In the next sections, we explain how to set up Jupyter and run the tutorials interactively in two different ways: locally or online via Google Colab.
If you decide to run the tutorials locally, you need to download them first. This can be done individually via the Download Notebook button available on each tutorial page, or all at once using the command line, as shown below.
Run Tutorials Locally with Pixi recommended
- Navigate to your existing Pixi project, created as described in the Installing with Pixi section.
- Add JupyterLab and the Pixi kernel for Jupyter:
pixi add --pypi jupyterlab pixi-kernel - Download all the EasyPeasy tutorials to the
tutorials/directory:pixi run easypeasy download-all-tutorials - Start JupyterLab in the
tutorials/directory to access the notebooks:pixi run jupyter lab tutorials/ - Your web browser should open automatically. Click on one of the
*.ipynbfiles and select thePython (Pixi)kernel to get started.
Classical Run Tutorials Locally
- Install Jupyter Notebook and IPython kernel:
pip install notebook ipykernel - Add the virtual environment as a Jupyter kernel:
python -m ipykernel install --user --name=venv --display-name "EasyPeasy Python kernel" - Download all the EasyPeasy tutorials to the
tutorials/directory:python -m easypeasy download-all-tutorials - Launch the Jupyter Notebook server (opens browser automatically at
http://localhost:8888/):jupyter notebook tutorials/ - Open one of the
*.ipynbfiles and select theEasyPeasy Python kernelto get started.
Run Tutorials via Google Colab
Google Colab lets you run Jupyter Notebooks in the cloud without any local installation. This is the fastest way to start experimenting with EasyPeasy.
- Ensure you have a Google account.
- Go to the Tutorials section.
- Click the Open in Google Colab button on any tutorial.