# How to Install Dependencies for Hello-Agents: A Complete Setup Guide

> Install dependencies for hello-agents with our easy guide. Clone the repo, set up a Python virtual environment, and run pip install for seamless setup. Get started now.

- Repository: [Datawhale/hello-agents](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-05-09

---

**Install dependencies for hello-agents by cloning the repository, creating a Python virtual environment, and running `pip install -r requirements.txt` in the specific chapter directory you want to run.**

The datawhalechina/hello-agents repository provides a comprehensive tutorial series on building AI agents, with executable examples organized under the `code/` directory. Each chapter maintains its own isolated dependency requirements, while supplementary tooling for Node.js and n8n workflows resides in the `Additional-Chapter/` folder.

## Standard Python Environment Setup

The repository follows a consistent pattern across all Python examples. According to the root [`README.md`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/README.md), the standard workflow uses virtual environments and pip requirements files to manage dependencies.

### Step 1: Clone and Prepare

Start by cloning the repository and entering the directory:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents.git
cd hello-agents

```

### Step 2: Create a Virtual Environment

Create and activate a Python virtual environment to isolate dependencies:

```bash
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate

```

### Step 3: Install Chapter-Specific Dependencies

Navigate to your target example and install its unique requirements. For instance, to run the AutoGen demo in Chapter 6:

```bash
cd code/chapter6/AutoGenDemo
pip install -r requirements.txt

```

The file [`code/chapter6/AutoGenDemo/requirements.txt`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/code/chapter6/AutoGenDemo/requirements.txt) contains packages like LangGraph and the OpenAI SDK specific to that demonstration. Each chapter's [`README.md`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/README.md) (such as [`code/chapter6/AutoGenDemo/README.md`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/code/chapter6/AutoGenDemo/README.md)) confirms this installation command and provides the entry point command, typically `python main.py`.

## Installing Non-Python Dependencies

Some examples require Node.js runtime or n8n workflow engines rather than Python packages.

### Node.js Setup

For chapters utilizing Node.js tools, refer to [`Additional-Chapter/NODEJS_INSTALL_GUIDE.md`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/Additional-Chapter/NODEJS_INSTALL_GUIDE.md). This document provides platform-specific commands for installing Node.js and npm packages required by certain low-code platform examples.

### n8n Workflow Engine

To run n8n-based workflows, consult [`Additional-Chapter/N8N_INSTALL_GUIDE.md`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/Additional-Chapter/N8N_INSTALL_GUIDE.md). This guide contains Docker Compose configurations to spin up the n8n service:

```bash
cd Additional-Chapter
docker compose -f N8N_INSTALL_GUIDE.yml up -d

```

## Docker-Based Installations

Some services specify container-based dependency management. The weather MCP server in Chapter 10 (`code/chapter10/weather-mcp-server/`) demonstrates this pattern in its [`requirements.txt`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/requirements.txt) and accompanying Dockerfile, using `pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt` within container builds rather than on the host system.

## Verification and Execution

After installation, verify your environment by running the example's entry point. For the AutoGen demo:

```bash
python main.py

```

Each chapter's README specifies the exact execution command and expected output for that specific example.

## Summary

- Clone the datawhalechina/hello-agents repository and use Python virtual environments to isolate dependencies.
- Run `pip install -r requirements.txt` within individual chapter directories under `code/` (e.g., `code/chapter6/AutoGenDemo/`).
- Consult [`Additional-Chapter/NODEJS_INSTALL_GUIDE.md`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/Additional-Chapter/NODEJS_INSTALL_GUIDE.md) for Node.js dependencies and [`Additional-Chapter/N8N_INSTALL_GUIDE.md`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/Additional-Chapter/N8N_INSTALL_GUIDE.md) for Docker-based n8n setup.
- Some services like the Chapter 10 weather MCP server use Docker with `pip install --no-cache-dir` patterns rather than local installation.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Do I need to install all dependencies at once?

No. The repository structure isolates dependencies by chapter. Install only the [`requirements.txt`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/requirements.txt) located in the specific chapter directory you intend to run, such as [`code/chapter6/AutoGenDemo/requirements.txt`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/code/chapter6/AutoGenDemo/requirements.txt) for the AutoGen examples. This prevents version conflicts between different chapters.

### What if I need to run examples from multiple chapters?

Create separate virtual environments for each chapter, or deactivate and reactivate your environment when switching between chapters to avoid package conflicts. Each chapter's [`requirements.txt`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/requirements.txt) may specify different versions of the same library, making isolation essential.

### How do I install dependencies for the n8n workflow examples?

Navigate to the `Additional-Chapter/` directory and follow the Docker Compose instructions in [`Additional-Chapter/N8N_INSTALL_GUIDE.md`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/Additional-Chapter/N8N_INSTALL_GUIDE.md). These examples do not use Python pip; they require Docker to run the n8n workflow engine and associated services.

### Is there a global requirements file in the repository root?

No. While the root [`README.md`](https://github.com/datawhalechina/hello-agents/blob/main/README.md) references the general pattern of `pip install -r requirements.txt`, actual dependency specifications reside in chapter-specific subdirectories. Always check the relevant `code/` subdirectory for that chapter's specific requirements file.