Level 0 • VS Code + Python

VS Code Python Setup Lab

Build a clean Python workflow in VS Code with the official Python extension, a project-specific .venv, and a first hello.py program. This is the practical foundation for the rest of your beginner Python training.

Watch the Lesson See the Demo

Level 0 Foundation setup before core Python

Virtual Environments Clean, isolated project workflow

First Program Run a working Hello World example

What you will learn

How to install the Microsoft Python extension in VS Code
Why a virtual environment keeps projects cleaner and easier to manage
How to create a .venv directly inside your workspace
How to select the correct interpreter if VS Code does not do it automatically
How to create a basic hello.py file
How to run Python inside the selected virtual environment

Watch the Video Lesson

Follow along as VS Code is configured for Python, a virtual environment is created, and the first Python script is executed.

Lesson Topics

This setup lab stays focused on the essentials so beginners can get working quickly without extra tooling or distractions.

Extension Setup

Install the official Python extension and understand how it adds language support, interpreter selection, and useful development tools.

Virtual Environment

Create a project-specific .venv so package versions and dependencies stay isolated from other Python work on your system.

Hello World

Build a simple hello.py file and run it in VS Code so you can confirm your environment is working end to end.

Covered in this class

Trusting a workspace in VS Code
Searching for and installing the Python extension
Creating a VENV environment
Selecting the right interpreter
Creating a .py file
Running a simple print("Hello World") example

Why this matters

A repeatable setup reduces confusion later when projects get larger
Virtual environments are a real-world habit worth learning early
VS Code stays lightweight while still giving helpful Python features
This lesson prepares you for syntax, variables, loops, math, and data structures

First Program Preview

The first script in this lab is intentionally simple so you can focus on the setup and confirm that your Python environment works.

Hello World Example

Create a file named hello.py and run this command inside it.

print("Hello World")

Tip: Once it runs successfully, change the message and run it again. Small edits like that are a great way to confirm your setup and start feeling comfortable with Python.

Keep Going

After this setup lesson, the next step is to start writing Python itself: variables, loops, math, and data structures are all much easier once your environment is ready.