> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation

> Install the Rowboat Python SDK

## Prerequisites

The Rowboat Python SDK requires Python 3.7 or higher.

## Install via pip

Install the SDK using pip:

```bash theme={null}
pip install rowboat
```

## Dependencies

The SDK automatically installs the following dependencies:

* `requests>=2.25.0` - HTTP client for API communication
* `pydantic>=2.0.0` - Data validation and schema modeling

## Verify Installation

Verify the installation by importing the SDK:

```python theme={null}
from rowboat.client import Client
from rowboat.schema import UserMessage

print("Rowboat SDK installed successfully!")
```

## Getting Your Credentials

Before using the SDK, you'll need:

**1. Create a Rowboat Account**

Sign up at [rowboat.dev](https://rowboat.dev) if you haven't already.

**2. Create a Project**

Navigate to your dashboard and create a new project. Note your **Project ID**.

**3. Generate an API Key**

In your project settings, generate a new API key. Keep this key secure!

**4. Configure Your Client**

Use your credentials to initialize the client:

```python theme={null}
client = Client(
    host="https://api.rowboat.dev",
    projectId="your-project-id",
    apiKey="your-api-key"
)
```

## Environment Variables

For security, store your credentials as environment variables:

```bash .env theme={null}
ROWBOAT_HOST=https://api.rowboat.dev
ROWBOAT_PROJECT_ID=your-project-id
ROWBOAT_API_KEY=your-api-key
```

Then load them in your code:

```python theme={null}
import os
from rowboat.client import Client

client = Client(
    host=os.getenv("ROWBOAT_HOST"),
    projectId=os.getenv("ROWBOAT_PROJECT_ID"),
    apiKey=os.getenv("ROWBOAT_API_KEY")
)
```

## Virtual Environments

We recommend using a virtual environment to manage dependencies:

```bash venv theme={null}
# Create virtual environment
python -m venv venv

# Activate (macOS/Linux)
source venv/bin/activate

# Activate (Windows)
venv\Scripts\activate

# Install Rowboat
pip install rowboat
```

```bash conda theme={null}
# Create conda environment
conda create -n rowboat python=3.9

# Activate environment
conda activate rowboat

# Install Rowboat
pip install rowboat
```

## Upgrading

To upgrade to the latest version:

```bash theme={null}
pip install --upgrade rowboat
```

## Troubleshooting

### Import Errors

If you encounter import errors, ensure you're using Python 3.7 or higher:

```bash theme={null}
python --version
```

### SSL Certificate Errors

If you encounter SSL certificate errors, update your certificates:

```bash theme={null}
pip install --upgrade certifi
```

### Behind a Proxy

If you're behind a corporate proxy, configure pip:

```bash theme={null}
pip install --proxy=http://proxy.server:port rowboat
```

## Next Steps

Now that you have the SDK installed, learn how to use it:

> **[Usage Guide](/platform/python-sdk/usage)**
>
> Learn how to build AI agents with the SDK


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.