# Installation

**Prerequisites**

Before installing Aether, ensure you have the following:

1. **Python 3.9 or later**
   * Download and install from [python.org](https://www.python.org/downloads/).
2. **Git**
   * Clone the repository using Git. Install from [git-scm.com](https://git-scm.com/).
3. **Package Manager (pip)**
   * Already included with Python. If missing, install via:

     ```bash
     python -m ensurepip --upgrade
     ```
4. **Redis (for task queues and swarm consensus)**
   * Install Redis:

     ```bash
     sudo apt-get install redis
     ```

     Or download it from [redis.io](https://redis.io/).
5. **MongoDB, Neo4j, Qdrant, or SQLite** (Optional)
   * Install depending on your project needs:
     * MongoDB: [Install MongoDB](https://www.mongodb.com/docs/manual/installation/)
     * Neo4j: [Install Neo4j](https://neo4j.com/download/)
     * Qdrant: [Install Qdrant](https://qdrant.tech/documentation/)
     * SQLite: Pre-installed on most systems.

***

#### **Step 1: Clone the Repository**

```bash
git clone https://github.com/<your-organization>/aether.git
cd aether
```

***

#### **Step 2: Set Up a Virtual Environment**

It’s recommended to use a virtual environment to avoid dependency conflicts:

```bash
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate
```

***

#### **Step 3: Install Dependencies**

Install the required packages using `pip`:

```bash
pip install -r requirements.txt
```

***

#### **Step 4: Configure Environment Variables**

Set up your environment variables for blockchain integrations, IPFS, and other services. Create a `.env` file in the root directory:

```plaintext
# Blockchain
SOLANA_WALLET_PATH=/path/to/solana-wallet.json
ETHEREUM_WALLET_PRIVATE_KEY=your_ethereum_private_key_here

# Redis
REDIS_HOST=localhost
REDIS_PORT=6379

# MongoDB
MONGODB_URI=mongodb://localhost:27017
```

***

#### **Step 5: Start Redis**

Ensure Redis is running:

```bash
redis-server
```

***

#### **Step 6: Run Aether**

Launch the framework and start interacting with your swarm:

```bash
python examples/swarm_simulation.py
```

***

#### **Optional: Additional Integrations**

1. **MongoDB**: Ensure your MongoDB server is running:

   ```bash
   mongod
   ```
2. **Neo4j**: Start Neo4j from your terminal or GUI.

   ```bash
   neo4j start
   ```
3. **Qdrant**: Start Qdrant on your local server or cloud instance.
4. **SQLite**: No additional setup required; SQLite is file-based and ready to use.

***

#### **Troubleshooting**

* **Issue**: `ModuleNotFoundError`
  * **Solution**: Ensure all dependencies are installed via `pip install -r requirements.txt`.
* **Issue**: `redis.exceptions.ConnectionError`
  * **Solution**: Ensure Redis is running on the correct host and port.
* **Issue**: `FileNotFoundError` for wallet paths
  * **Solution**: Verify that the `.env` file is correctly configured and the paths are valid.

\ <br>


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