Python Setup

MLOps Desktop uses your system Python to run ML pipelines. This guide covers installation and configuration.

Check Your Python Installation

Open Terminal and run:

python3 --version

You should see Python 3.9 or later. If not installed, follow the installation steps below.

Installing Python

Homebrew is the easiest way to manage Python on macOS:

# Install Homebrew if you don't have it
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

# Install Python
brew install python@3.11

# Verify
python3 --version

Download from python.org:

Download the latest Python 3.11+ installer
Run the .pkg installer
Follow the installation prompts
Open a new Terminal and verify: python3 --version

For managing multiple Python versions:

# Install pyenv
brew install pyenv

# Add to shell config (~/.zshrc)
echo 'eval "$(pyenv init -)"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

# Install Python
pyenv install 3.11.0
pyenv global 3.11.0

# Verify
python3 --version

Required Packages

MLOps Desktop requires these Python packages:

Package	Purpose
`scikit-learn`	ML algorithms (Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, etc.)
`pandas`	Data loading and manipulation
`numpy`	Numerical operations
`optuna`	Hyperparameter tuning
`shap`	Model explainability
`matplotlib`	Visualization (for SHAP plots)

Install All Packages

Run this command to install everything:

pip3 install scikit-learn pandas numpy optuna shap matplotlib

Verify Installation

Test that packages are installed correctly:

python3 -c "import sklearn, pandas, numpy, optuna, shap; print('All packages installed!')"

Configure Python in MLOps Desktop

Open MLOps Desktop
Check auto-detected path

The app shows the detected Python path in the toolbar. Click it to see the full path.
Change Python path (if needed)

If the wrong Python is detected:
- Click the Python path in the toolbar
- Enter the correct path (e.g., /opt/homebrew/bin/python3)
- Press Enter to save
Verify packages

Run a simple pipeline to confirm packages are available.

Finding Your Python Path

Not sure which Python to use? Run these commands:

# Show all Python installations
which -a python3

# For Homebrew Python
/opt/homebrew/bin/python3 --version

# For system Python (not recommended)
/usr/bin/python3 --version

Common paths:

Installation	Path
Homebrew (Apple Silicon)	`/opt/homebrew/bin/python3`
Homebrew (Intel)	`/usr/local/bin/python3`
Official installer	`/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.X/bin/python3`
pyenv	`~/.pyenv/shims/python3`

Virtual Environments

Using venv

# Create a virtual environment
python3 -m venv ~/.mlops-env

# Activate it
source ~/.mlops-env/bin/activate

# Install packages
pip install scikit-learn pandas numpy optuna shap matplotlib

# Get the Python path for MLOps Desktop
which python
# → /Users/yourname/.mlops-env/bin/python

Use this path in MLOps Desktop to ensure consistent package versions.

Using conda

# Create environment
conda create -n mlops python=3.11

# Activate
conda activate mlops

# Install packages
conda install scikit-learn pandas numpy optuna shap matplotlib

# Get path
which python
# → /opt/homebrew/anaconda3/envs/mlops/bin/python

Troubleshooting

”No module named ‘sklearn’”

The package is named scikit-learn but imported as sklearn:

pip3 install scikit-learn

“pip: command not found”

Use pip3 instead of pip:

pip3 install package-name

Package installed but not found

You may have multiple Python installations. Check which pip you’re using:

which pip3
# Make sure it matches the Python path in MLOps Desktop

SHAP installation fails

SHAP requires a C compiler. Install Xcode command line tools:

xcode-select --install

Then retry: pip3 install shap

Permission errors

On modern macOS, use --user or --break-system-packages:

pip3 install --user scikit-learn
# OR
pip3 install --break-system-packages scikit-learn

Next: Quickstart — Build your first pipeline