Installation Guide of Finrl Library.

Introduction:

FinRL is a powerful open-source library for reinforcement learning-based algorithmic trading research and applications. Installing FinRL on Windows 10 can be a bit tricky due to compatibility issues, but with the right steps, you can set it up successfully. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of installing FinRL on your Windows 10 system, enabling you to kickstart your algorithmic trading journey.

Step 1: Install Python and Pip

• If you haven’t already, download and install Python from the official website (https://www.python.org/downloads/) by selecting the latest version compatible with Windows 10.
• During installation, make sure to check the box that says “Add Python to PATH” to ensure Python is accessible from the command line.
• Once Python is installed, open the command prompt and verify that both Python and Pip (Python’s package installer) are installed correctly by running the following commands:

python --version
pip --version

Step 2: Install Git

• Git is required for cloning the FinRL repository from GitHub. Download and install Git from the official website (https://git-scm.com/download/win).
• Follow the installation instructions, keeping the default settings unless you have specific preferences.

Step 3: Clone the FinRL Repository

• Open the command prompt and navigate to the directory where you want to install FinRL.
• Clone the FinRL repository from GitHub by running the following command:

git clone https://github.com/AI4Finance-LLC/FinRL-Library.git


Step 4: Create a Virtual Environment (Optional but Recommended)

• It’s a good practice to create a virtual environment to isolate FinRL’s dependencies from other Python projects on your system.
• Navigate to the FinRL directory and create a virtual environment by running the following commands:

 

cd FinRL-Library
python -m venv venv


Step 5: Activate the Virtual Environment

• Activate the virtual environment by running the following command:

 

venv\Scripts\activate

Step 6: Install Dependencies

• With the virtual environment activated, install FinRL’s dependencies by running the following command:

pip install -r requirements.txt


Step 7: Install Additional Dependencies (Optional)

• Depending on your specific use case, you may need to install additional dependencies. Refer to FinRL’s documentation for guidance on installing optional packages.

Step 8: Test the Installation

• To verify that FinRL is installed correctly, try running one of the example scripts provided in the FinRL repository.
• Navigate to the examples directory and run one of the Python scripts using the following command:

 

python train.py

Conclusion:
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed FinRL on your Windows 10 system. With FinRL, you can now explore reinforcement learning-based algorithmic trading strategies and conduct research in the exciting field of quantitative finance. Dive into the documentation, experiment with the provided examples, and embark on your journey to mastering algorithmic trading with FinRL.