PyCharm 2016.1 Help

Initial Setup

When PyCharm is launched for the very first time, you are suggested to select your preferred keymap and color scheme from the list of the supported ones.
For the Linux and OS X users, it is also possible to enable the command line tool.

For the Windows users, there is no need for a special command-line tool. The regular *.exe file supports command line arguments, and behavior of activating the existing PyCharm instance if one is already running.

To make initial setup

  1. Launch PyCharm after installation. On top of the Welcome Screen, the Initial Configuration dialog box appears.
  2. Select the desired keyboard shortcuts scheme from the drop-down list. Note that you can later fine-tune keyboard shortcuts to match your preferences.
  3. Select the desired color scheme from the drop-down list. Use the Preview button to appreciate the appearance of the selected color scheme. Later you can configure the color scheme as required.

    You can immediately preview the selected scheme in action in the color preview pane:

    py_initialSetupSchemePreview
  4. To be able to open files and projects when PyCharm is not running, or in the already running instance, do one of the following, depending on your platform:
    • For the Linux and OS X users, PyCharm suggests the ability to use command line to open projects and separate files, by specifying the directory or file name.

      Select the Enable command line tool check box, and then specify the name the command-line launcher script to be created.

      Alternatively, use Tools | Create Command-line Launcher on the main menu.

    • For Windows users, just complete the dialog. You don't need to specify a command line tool. Later, for opening a file or project from command line, it will be enough to launch the *.exe file with the project or file name as a command line argument.

See Also

Last modified: 20 April 2016