PyCharm 2023.3 Help

Create a project from existing sources

You can set up a PyCharm project around the existing source code created in another IDE or in a dedicated editor. PyCharm analyzes the code base and adds a .idea directory with settings to it.

Creating projects from existing source code

  1. Do one of the following:

  2. In the dialog that opens, select the directory that contains the desired source code. Note that applications created externally are marked with the regular directory icon a directory icon.

  3. Click Open (on Mac) or OK (on Windows).

  4. If you have another project open, specify whether you want the new project to be opened in a separate window or close the current project and reuse the existing window.

PyCharm searches for a virtual environment in the source directory. If detected, PyCharm suggests using it for the project or configuring a new interpreter.

Create a project from existing sources

If no environment is detected, PyCharm sets up the system interpreter for the project.

You can click the Configure a Python Interpreter link and select Interpreter Settings to configure a Python interpreter and install packages, if needed.

With this done, you are all set to start working on your project in PyCharm: double-click your files in the Project tool window to edit them.

For more information about creating a project from a version control system, refer to Opening a project from Git.

Last modified: 07 March 2024