Chapter 5: Install Django

Today we’re focusing only on installing Django — the exact moment you go from “I have Python” to “Django is ready in my project”.

This is after you’ve already created & activated a virtual environment (from our last chat). If you haven’t, stop here, go back, and do python -m venv venv + activate it first — installing globally is like pouring cement in the wrong place.

We’re using Django 6.0.1 — the current stable patch release as of January 31, 2026 (released Jan 6, 2026 — bugfix on top of the big 6.0 from Dec 3, 2025). It supports Python 3.12 – 3.14.

Why Install a Specific Version? (Quick Real-Talk)

• pip install django → gets the absolute latest (right now 6.0.1)
• pip install Django==6.0.1 → locks it exactly (recommended for learning/tutorials — avoids surprises if 6.0.2 drops tomorrow)
• Use == for reproducibility — your friend in another city can run the same commands and get identical setup

Step-by-Step: Installing Django (Inside Your Activated venv)

Make sure your terminal shows (venv) at the start — that’s your private kitchen!

1. Double-check you’re in the right place You should be inside your project folder (e.g. my-first-django/ or django-learn-2026/) and venv activated.

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   # Quick checks (optional but smart) pwd                        # shows current folder path python --version           # should be your expected 3.12/3.13/3.14 pip --version              # should point inside venv/.../pip pip list                   # should show almost nothing yet (maybe pip & setuptools only)

2. The One Magic Command – Install Django Run this:

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   pip install Django==6.0.1

   • On Windows (if python is py alias sometimes): py -m pip install Django==6.0.1

   • It will download ~10–15 MB (fast on good net, bearable on Jio 4G)

   • Output looks like this (excerpt):

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     Collecting Django==6.0.1   Downloading Django-6.0.1-py3-none-any.whl (8.3 MB) Collecting asgiref<4,>=3.8.1   Downloading asgiref-3.8.1-py3-none-any.whl (23 kB) Collecting sqlparse>=0.3.1   Downloading sqlparse-0.5.1-py3-none-any.whl (44 kB) Installing collected packages: sqlparse, asgiref, Django Successfully installed Django-6.0.1 asgiref-3.8.1 sqlparse-0.5.1

   → Takes 10–60 seconds depending on internet.

3. Verify It Worked (Super Important – Don’t Skip!)

   Three easy ways — pick your favorite:

   Way A – Quick shell check

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   python -m django --version # Should print exactly: 6.0.1

   Way B – Inside Python interpreter

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   python

   Then inside Python:

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   >>> import django >>> django.get_version() '6.0.1' >>> exit()

   Way C – pip list (shows everything installed)

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   pip list

   You should see:

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   Package    Version ---------- ------- asgiref    3.8.1 Django     6.0.1 pip        24.x.x   # whatever setuptools ... sqlparse   0.5.1

4. Bonus: Create requirements.txt Right Now (Future-Proof Habit)

   This file lists exactly what you installed — gold for sharing / deployment.

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   pip freeze > requirements.txt

   Peek inside:

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   cat requirements.txt   # or type requirements.txt on Windows

   Looks like:

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   asgiref==3.8.1 Django==6.0.1 sqlparse==0.5.1

   Later: friend does pip install -r requirements.txt → same setup.

Common Mistakes & Fixes (Hyderabad Special Edition)

• “No module named django” after install → Forgot to activate venv → packages went to global Python. Fix: deactivate → activate again → reinstall.
• Permission denied / access error (rare on Windows/Linux) → Don’t use sudo! Just make sure venv is activated.
• Very slow download → Use a mirror if needed: pip install Django==6.0.1 -i https://pypi.douban.com/simple (Chinese mirror, sometimes faster in Asia)
• “Could not find a version that satisfies…” → Wrong Python version (Django 6.0 needs 3.12+). Check python –version.
• Wheel building errors (very rare now) → Update pip first: python -m pip install –upgrade pip

What Just Happened? (The Aha Moment)

• pip downloaded Django + its 2 tiny dependencies (asgiref for async, sqlparse for SQL cleaning)
• Installed them only inside your venv/
• Now your Python knows what import django means
• You’re ready for django-admin startproject — the next big step

Quick Test – See If Django CLI Works

If this prints → boom! Django is installed and usable.

Now you’re set, boss!

Next logical move?

• “Okay, now show me creating the first project with startproject”
• “How do I upgrade to a newer patch if 6.0.2 comes?”
• “What if I want the absolute latest instead of ==6.0.1?”
• Or paste any error you hit — we’ll squash it in seconds

Your setup is almost alive — tell me what’s next! 🚀