Qiskit Installation Guide

Get your quantum computing environment ready for Fall Fest 2025

Select Your Operating System

Prerequisites

Python 3.9 or higher must be installed on your system.

Basic knowledge of command line/terminal is helpful but not required.

Virtual Environment Manager

We recommend using uv for this workshop as it's fast and easy to use.

However, if you're already familiar with conda or venv, feel free to use those instead!

Step 1: Install uv

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

winget install --id=astral-sh.uv -e

If you have Scoop installed:

scoop install main/uv

Run this command in PowerShell:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"

Verify installation: Open a new terminal and run:

uv --version

Step 2: Create Your Project

1. Create a Project Folder

  • Open File Explorer (Windows key + E)
  • Navigate to your desired drive (e.g., C:, D:, or F:)
  • Right-click in an empty space → New → Folder
  • Name it: slashdot_qiskit_fall_fest_2025

2. Open Command Prompt

  • Right-click on the folder you created
  • Select "Open in Terminal" or click in the address bar, type cmd, and press Enter

3. Create Virtual Environment

uv venv

This creates a hidden .venv folder containing your isolated Python environment.

4. Activate the Environment

.venv\Scripts\activate

You should see (.venv) at the beginning of your prompt.

If activation fails:
  • Make sure you're using Command Prompt (not PowerShell)
  • Or run Command Prompt as Administrator

Step 3: Install Qiskit

Download the requirements file and install all dependencies:

uv pip install -r https://raw.githubusercontent.com/slashdot-iiserk/qiskit_fallfest/main/qiskit/requirements.txt

What's being installed?

  • Qiskit - IBM's quantum computing framework
  • NumPy - Numerical computing library
  • Matplotlib - Plotting and visualization
  • Jupyter - Interactive notebook environment
  • IPyKernel - Jupyter kernel for Python

Step 1: Install uv

Open Terminal and run:

brew install uv

Update PATH for your shell

First, check which shell you're using:

echo $SHELL

For zsh (default on macOS 10.15+):

echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

For bash:

echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bash_profile
source ~/.bash_profile

For fish:

echo 'set -x PATH $HOME/.local/bin $PATH' >> ~/.config/fish/config.fish
source ~/.config/fish/config.fish

Run this command in Terminal:

curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

Then restart your terminal or run: source ~/.bashrc

Verify installation:

uv --version

Step 2: Create Your Project

1. Create a Project Directory

mkdir ~/slashdot_qiskit_fall_fest_2025
cd ~/slashdot_qiskit_fall_fest_2025

2. Create Virtual Environment

uv venv

3. Activate the Environment

source .venv/bin/activate

You should see (.venv) at the beginning of your prompt.

Step 3: Install Qiskit

uv pip install -r https://raw.githubusercontent.com/slashdot-iiserk/qiskit_fallfest/main/qiskit/requirements.txt

Step 1: Install uv

Open your terminal and run:

curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

After installation, restart your terminal or run:

source ~/.bashrc  # or ~/.zshrc for zsh users

Verify installation:

uv --version

Step 2: Create Your Project

1. Create a Project Directory

mkdir ~/slashdot_qiskit_fall_fest_2025
cd ~/slashdot_qiskit_fall_fest_2025

2. Create Virtual Environment

uv venv

3. Activate the Environment

source .venv/bin/activate

You should see (.venv) at the beginning of your prompt.

Step 3: Install Qiskit

uv pip install -r https://raw.githubusercontent.com/slashdot-iiserk/qiskit_fallfest/main/qiskit/requirements.txt

Step 4: Verify Installation

Test your Qiskit installation by running Python:

python

Then in the Python interpreter:

import qiskit
print(f"Qiskit version: {qiskit.__version__}")

# Create a simple quantum circuit
from qiskit import QuantumCircuit
qc = QuantumCircuit(2, 2)
qc.h(0)
qc.cx(0, 1)
qc.measure_all()
print("Success! Your quantum circuit is ready!")

Exit Python by typing: exit()

Step 5: Set Up Jupyter Notebook

1. Install Jupyter Kernel

python -m ipykernel install --user --name qiskit-env --display-name "Qiskit Fall Fest"

2. Start Jupyter Notebook

jupyter notebook

This will open Jupyter in your default web browser.

3. Access the Interface

  • Jupyter will display a URL like http://localhost:8888/tree?token=...
  • Copy and paste this URL into your browser if it doesn't open automatically
  • When creating a new notebook, select "Qiskit Fall Fest" as the kernel

Alternative: Using Conda or Venv

Using Conda

# Create environment
conda create -n qiskit-env python=3.11
conda activate qiskit-env

# Install packages
pip install -r https://raw.githubusercontent.com/slashdot-iiserk/qiskit_fallfest/main/qiskit/requirements.txt

Using Venv

# Create environment
python -m venv qiskit-env

# Activate (Windows)
qiskit-env\Scripts\activate

# Activate (macOS/Linux)
source qiskit-env/bin/activate

# Install packages
pip install -r https://raw.githubusercontent.com/slashdot-iiserk/qiskit_fallfest/main/qiskit/requirements.txt

Troubleshooting

Permission Errors (Windows)

Run PowerShell or Command Prompt as Administrator.

curl Not Found

On older systems, install curl first or use your package manager.

Python Version Too Old

Ensure Python 3.9+ is installed. Check with: python --version

Import Errors

Make sure your virtual environment is activated before importing packages.

Useful Resources

Qiskit Documentation

Official Qiskit tutorials and API reference

uv Documentation

Learn more about the uv package manager

IBM Quantum Learning

Free quantum computing courses

Need Help?

If you encounter any issues during installation, don't hesitate to reach out!

Contact Organizers