# Microsoft Qdk Qdk

> QDK Programming

- Skill: `tomevault-io/microsoft-qdk-qdk` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/microsoft-qdk-qdk`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/microsoft-qdk-qdk/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/microsoft-qdk-qdk

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# QDK Programming

Quantum programming with the Microsoft Quantum Development Kit (QDK).

## Two Modes

Most QDK features work in two modes:

1. **Tool mode** — use provided tools to work with standalone `.qs` / `.qasm` files directly. No Python required.
2. **Python mode** — the user writes Python scripts or Jupyter notebooks, using the `qsharp`/`qdk` Python packages as a driver for Q#/OpenQASM programs.

**Default to tool mode** unless the user is already working in Python or the feature is Python-only.

## Reference Files

| File                         | Content                                                                                         |
| ---------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [qsharp.md](./qsharp.md)     | Q# language syntax, types, quantum operations, standard library, project structure              |
| [openqasm.md](./openqasm.md) | OpenQASM 2.0/3.0 syntax, standard gates, version differences                                    |
| [python.md](./python.md)     | `qsharp`/`qdk` Python API for execution, estimation, circuits, noise, Azure, Qiskit/Cirq, setup |

## Features

| Feature                                  | Tool mode                         | Python mode                                    |
| ---------------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| **Writing Q# code**                      | Read [qsharp.md](./qsharp.md)     | Read [qsharp.md](./qsharp.md)                  |
| **Writing OpenQASM code**                | Read [openqasm.md](./openqasm.md) | Read [openqasm.md](./openqasm.md)              |
| **Running a program**                    | `qdkRunProgram`                   | [python.md](./python.md) — Running Q# Code     |
| **Resource estimation**                  | `qdkRunResourceEstimator`         | [python.md](./python.md) — Resource Estimation |
| **Circuit diagrams**                     | `qdkGenerateCircuit`              | [python.md](./python.md) — Circuit Generation  |
| **Azure Quantum**                        | Use the `azureQuantum*` tools     | [python.md](./python.md) — Azure Quantum       |
| **Noisy simulation**                     | — (Python only)                   | [python.md](./python.md) — Noisy Simulation    |
| **Q#/OpenQASM in Python and/or Jupyter** | — (inherently Python)             | [python.md](./python.md)                       |
| **Qiskit / Cirq / PennyLane interop**    | — (inherently Python)             | [python.md](./python.md) — Framework Interop   |

**Quantum Katas**

Quantum Katas are a collection of self-paced tutorials built into the QDK that teach quantum computing from the ground up. If the user wants to learn through the Quantum Katas, encourage them to use the `/qdk-learning` prompt to chat with the QDK Learning agent, which provides a guided, chat-embedded experience.

## Deprecations

- The QDK was rewritten in 2024. It no longer uses the IQ# Jupyter kernel or `dotnet` CLI tools.

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> Source: [microsoft/qdk](https://github.com/microsoft/qdk) — distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io).
<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-06-28 -->