Create a reproducible developer setup guide

“Install dependencies and run the app” leaves every important decision to the next developer. A setup guide should take a clean machine to a verified local result.

Check the required steps

The engineering foundations lab builds a fixture guide.

from engineering_cases import setup_guide_case

result = setup_guide_case()
assert result["complete"] is True
assert result["secret_values_in_guide"] is False
assert result["guide"]["test"] == "python -m pytest"
assert result["verified_on_clean_machine"] is False

The fields are complete, but clean-machine verification remains false until someone actually performs it.

State operating-system assumptions, supported Python, system prerequisites, repository checkout, virtual environment, install, dummy configuration, database migration/seed, tests, run command and expected health/output. Add common errors with exact diagnostic commands.

Keep secrets out; document where authorized developers obtain them. Prefer copyable commands and relative paths. Pin or lock application dependencies and show how to reset safely. Have another learner follow the guide from scratch and record every undocumented step.

The FDE for Freshers course uses reproducible setup as part of every portfolio handover.

Exercise

Write the guide for your CLI, give it to a peer in a clean virtual environment, fix all missing assumptions and attach the final test output.

Continue learning

This article is part of the FDE engineering foundations sequence. Use the neighbouring tasks when you need the prerequisite or the next application.

• Review the preceding task in Review AI-generated code with a concrete checklist.
• Return to the cluster foundation in Build a Python CLI that another person can install.

Reference: PyPA packaging tutorial.