# Before you begin

*Estimated read time: 3 minutes*

These guides are written to be self-contained. Most code examples should work out of the box, with very few exceptions.

## Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you've completed the following setup:

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**Python virtual environment**

Use a dedicated Python virtual environment with both [PySDK](https://docs.degirum.com/pysdk) and [DeGirum Tools](https://docs.degirum.com/degirum-tools) installed.

[Click here](https://docs.degirum.com/pysdk/installation) for instructions on setting up a Python virtual environment and installing PySDK (`degirum`) and DeGirum Tools (`degirum_tools`).

We recommend avoiding your system-level Python installation to prevent conflicts.
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**Axelera runtime and drivers**

Make sure the Axelera runtime and drivers are installed.

[Click here](https://docs.degirum.com/pysdk/runtimes-and-drivers/axelera) for Axelera runtime and driver installation instructions.
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**Supported hardware**

Check that your hardware is recognized by PySDK. Run `degirum sys-info` and look for a \`metis' device.

Here is an example for Axelera Metis:

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```bash
Devices:
  AXELERA/METIS:
  - '@Index': 0
    DeviceName: metis-0:3a:0
    SDKVersion: v1.4.1
  - '@Index': 1
  - '@Index': 2
  - '@Index': 3
```

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[Click here](https://docs.degirum.com/pysdk/installation#verification) for full instructions on verifying your Axelera and PySDK installation.
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**Access to the DeGirum AI Hub**

For access to pre-verified models and cloud-hosted hardware, install an AI Hub Workspace Token into your PySDK setup.

While not required, it simplifies model access and improves the development experience.

You can [learn what a Workspace Token is](https://docs.degirum.com/ai-hub/workspaces/workspace-tokens) and [follow these instructions to install one](https://docs.degirum.com/pysdk/user-guide-pysdk/command-line-interface#manage-ai-hub-tokens).

To verify that your token is active, run `degirum token status`:

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```bash
token: <token>
$schema: https://hub.degirum.com/schemas/GetTokenInfoOutputBody.json
created_at: '2025-01-01T11:11:11.111111Z'
description: <description>
value: <token>
expiration: '2025-01-02T11:11:11.111111Z'
user: <your_email>
space: <your_workspace>
```

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## Optional: improve your deployment environment

Although not required, the tools below can enhance your experience.

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{% step %}
**IDE support**

We recommend using an integrated development environment like [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) (VS Code), which makes it easier to run and edit PySDK and DeGirum Tools code compared to the default Python REPL or plain text files.
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**Jupyter Notebook extension**

Many examples in our guides are written in Jupyter Notebook and can run directly in your IDE or Google Colab.

[Click here](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/datascience/jupyter-notebooks) for details on the Jupyter Notebook extension for VS Code.
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## Core concepts to know

To get the most out of these guides, it's helpful to be familiar with these PySDK and AI Hub [concepts](https://docs.degirum.com/pysdk/user-guide-pysdk/core-concepts):

* **AI inference engine**: the component that runs AI models to make predictions.
* **AI model**: a trained model that performs tasks like object detection or face recognition.
* **AI Model Zoo**: a collection of ready-to-use models available to the inference engine.

Understanding these concepts will give you the foundation to navigate the examples and tools confidently.