# Install > Install Auto-PsyNet's essential dependencies — PsyNet + Dallinger (with optional version pinning) and the Python stats stack — into a chosen Python interpreter. Use when /apsy:doctor reports psynet missing, when the user says 'install apsy/psynet', or after first cloning the plugin. Auto-detects venv/APSY_PYTHON; offers to create a managed venv at ~/.auto-psynet/venv on first run. Never breaks system packages without explicit opt-in. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/install-3` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/install-3` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/install-3/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/install-3 --- # apsy:install — auto-install PsyNet + Dallinger > EXECUTION CONTRACT. Mutates the active Python environment. **Always present the install plan and ask > the user to confirm before running pip.** Never pass `--break-system-packages` without explicit > consent. Never silently install into system Python when a managed venv is the safer option. ## STEP 1 — Pick the Python interpreter Auto-PsyNet's interpreter priority (highest first): ``` --python PATH > $VIRTUAL_ENV/bin/python > $APSY_PYTHON (~/.auto-psynet/config) > python3 from PATH ``` Detect: - `$VIRTUAL_ENV` — an active venv in this shell? - `$APSY_PYTHON` from `~/.auto-psynet/config` — a previously-recorded managed Python? - `python3 --version` and writability of its site-packages (PEP-668 risk). Then choose one of three paths via `AskUserQuestion`: | Case | Path | |------|------| | `$VIRTUAL_ENV` active | Use it. Inform the user; no prompt needed. | | `$APSY_PYTHON` set + executable | Use it. Inform the user; offer to switch to a managed venv if they want. | | Neither — **recommended default** | **Offer to create a managed venv at `~/.auto-psynet/venv/`** (engine flag `--create-venv`). This records `APSY_PYTHON` so subsequent `apsy:install`/`apsy:update`/`apsy:doctor` calls use the same Python. | | Conda/poetry/uv user — opt-out | Ask for an explicit interpreter path (engine flag `--python /path/to/python`). Optionally also write it to config (`APSY_PYTHON`) so it persists. | ## STEP 2 — Choose versions Ask via `AskUserQuestion` (defaults are fine if the user has no preference): - PsyNet version: **latest** (default) / a specific pinned version (e.g. `13.0.5`). - Dallinger version: **latest** (default) / a specific pinned version. - Install the Python stats stack (`pandas`/`scipy`/`statsmodels`) if missing? **Yes** (default) / No. ## STEP 3 — Plan + confirm Show the resolved plan with `bin/apsy-install.sh --dry-run` plus the chosen interpreter flags (`--create-venv` / `--python PATH`). The engine prints which interpreter it will use + the source (`(--python override)` / `(active VIRTUAL_ENV)` / `(APSY_PYTHON in ...)` / `(python3 from PATH)`), then runs `pip --dry-run` so the user sees the exact specs + the resolved dependency tree. Then `AskUserQuestion` to confirm proceeding with the real install. **Do not run the install without explicit confirmation.** ## STEP 4 — Execute Run `bin/apsy-install.sh` with the chosen flags. The engine: - creates the managed venv (if `--create-venv`) and records `APSY_PYTHON` in `~/.auto-psynet/config`, - runs `pip install` into the chosen interpreter, - records `APSY_PSYNET_VERSION`, `APSY_DALLINGER_VERSION`, and `APSY_PSYNET_PATH` on success. If pip fails with PEP-668 (`externally-managed-environment`): tell the user, **do not auto-add** `--break-system-packages`; recommend `--create-venv` (preferred) or have them re-run with the flag if they accept the consequences. ## STEP 5 — Verify Run `bin/apsy-doctor.sh` (or invoke `apsy:doctor` skill) to confirm: - "apsy python" reports the chosen interpreter + source. - `psynet` / `dallinger` are importable by that Python. - Stats stack importable. Report the verified versions and the next step (Docker/Postgres/Redis for local runtime, or the EC2 path). **PROHIBITED:** running pip without showing the plan; using `--break-system-packages` silently; silently installing into system Python when no venv is active (always offer `--create-venv` first); upgrading inside an experiment directory's pinned environment without explicit confirmation. **Validation gate:** `apsy:doctor` reports psynet + dallinger ✅ after install, using the chosen `apsy python`. --- > Source: [Haoyu-Hu/auto-psynet](https://github.com/Haoyu-Hu/auto-psynet) — distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io).