Getting started with Anaconda

Welcome to Anaconda! Whether you’re new to programming or a seasoned developer, this guide will help you get started with Anaconda’s tools for package and environment management.

New to programming or not sure where to start? The icon indicates Anaconda’s recommended path for beginners!

There are three key steps to getting started with Anaconda: choosing an installer, downloading and running it on your system, and choosing a method for interfacing with conda.

1. Choose an installer

   First, choose an installer to download: Anaconda Distribution, which includes hundreds of packages and Anaconda Navigator, or Miniconda, which includes just the essentials.

   Choose Anaconda Distribution.

   Anaconda Distribution or Miniconda?

   Compare and choose the right installer for your needs

   Want to start programming with no additional setup? Use Anaconda Notebooks, our cloud-based JupyterLab environment.

   Launch Anaconda Notebooks to start programming now!

2. Follow installation instructions

   Once you’ve chosen your preferred installer, we recommend reviewing its step-by-step installation instructions:

   Follow the Anaconda Distribution graphical installation instructions for your system.

   Anaconda Distribution for Windows

   Anaconda Distribution for macOS/Linux

   Miniconda for Windows

   Miniconda for macOS/Linux

   Just looking for the installers? Navigate to anaconda.com/download, create a free Anaconda account, and then download an installer for your system.

3. Pick Anaconda Navigator or conda

   Use Anaconda Navigator to interface with conda.

   Finally, choose how you want to interface with conda: through a desktop application or at the command line.

   Anaconda Navigator provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to interface with conda, without using the command line.

   If you prefer working at the command line, you can interface with conda directly through Anaconda Prompt (Windows) or your system’s terminal (macOS and Linux).

   Anaconda Navigator is not included with Miniconda. Follow the instructions on Installing Navigator to manually install Navigator onto your computer.

   Get started with Navigator

   Manage packages and environments with a desktop application

   Work with conda

   Use command-line tools for package and environment management

Learning resources

Now that you’re set up, explore these resources based on your experience level.

Beginner topics

Concepts

Learn fundamental concepts about conda, packages, environments, and channels

Intro to conda workflows

Follow this tutorial if you’re new to conda or love fun facts 🐮💬

Get Started with Anaconda course

Take this free course covering packages, environments, and Jupyter Notebooks

Advanced topics

IDE guides

Set up PyCharm, VS Code, and other popular IDEs

Official conda documentation

Access in-depth technical resources for using conda

Anaconda Learning

Advance your skills with courses and certifications