Algo Setup

Set up the local Python environment for building and running OpenAlgo dual-mode trading strategies.

Arguments

$0 (optional) = python interpreter name (python, python3, python3.12). Default: python.

What to do

1. Detect the OS (Windows / macOS / Linux) via uname -s or os.name. Use OS-specific install commands for the TA-Lib C library (which pip install ta-lib depends on).

2. Create venv if not already present:

   python -m venv venv
   

3. Install TA-Lib C library (required by Python ta-lib):

   • macOS: brew install ta-lib
   • Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt install libta-lib-dev (may need sudo apt update)
   • Windows: pip install ta-lib uses pre-built wheels - no C library install needed

4. Activate venv and install Python packages from requirements.txt:

   # Linux/macOS
   source venv/bin/activate
   pip install -r requirements.txt
   
   # Windows
   venv\Scripts\activate
   pip install -r requirements.txt
   

5. Scaffold folders:

   strategies/
       (empty - generated strategies will land here)
   backtests/
       (empty - generated backtest CSV/HTML output lands here)
   

6. Create .env by copying .env.sample and prompt the user to fill in OPENALGO_API_KEY:

   cp .env.sample .env
   

7. Verify the install by running:

   from openalgo import api, ta
   import vectorbt as vbt
   import talib
   import sklearn
   import xgboost
   print("OK")
   

8. Print next steps:

   Setup complete. Next:
     1. Edit .env and set OPENALGO_API_KEY
     2. Make sure OpenAlgo is running at http://127.0.0.1:5000
     3. Generate a strategy: /algo-strategy ema-crossover SBIN NSE 5m
   

Avoid

• Do not use icons/emojis in output
• Do not auto-run OPENALGO_API_KEY=... in the shell - the user pastes it into .env manually
• Do not assume pip exists outside the venv after step 4 - always activate first

When the user already has a venv

Skip step 2. Activate the existing venv, run pip install -r requirements.txt against it, and continue.

Failure modes

• TA-Lib install fails on Linux: tell the user to run sudo apt update && sudo apt install build-essential libta-lib-dev. If that fails (older distros), suggest skipping TA-Lib and using only INDICATOR_LIB="openalgo" in strategies.
• OpenAlgo not running: setup completes but the verify-install step's from openalgo import api works (SDK installs without network). Real connection is verified in /algo-strategy.