Your first week

From zero to
shipped.

Seven steps. Do one, check it off, come back for the next. Your progress is saved on this device, so you can close the tab and pick up where you left off.

Your progress 0 / 7 done
1
Day 1  /  30 minutes

Set up your machine

You need two things: Python (the language) and an editor (where you write). Both are free.

  • Install Python from python.org (choose the latest version for your system).
  • Install Cursor, an editor with a built-in assistant. It has a free tier and is beginner-friendly.
  • No laptop? Use Google Colab or Replit in your browser and skip installing anything.

Then open a terminal and confirm Python is installed:

python3 --version
2
Day 1  /  15 minutes

Write your first program

Create a file called hello.py, type this one line, and run it. That feeling when it prints back to you is the whole reason we are here.

hello.py
print("Hello, Dire Dawa")

Run it from the terminal:

python3 hello.py
3
Days 2 - 3  /  a few hours

Learn the five ideas

Almost every program is built from five ideas. You do not memorize them, you recognize them. Write one tiny program for each:

  • Variables hold values. Conditions decide. Loops repeat.
  • Functions are reusable machines. Data (lists and labels) holds many things.

Best free starting points for these:

4
Days 4 - 5  /  a project

Build something small

Now make one tiny thing that runs. Keep it small enough to finish. Describe what you want to your editor's assistant, then read the code it writes and make sure you understand each line.

  • A tip or currency calculator.
  • A guess-the-number game.
  • A "how many days have I been alive" tool.
5
Day 5  /  the real skill

Break it, then read the error

This is the most important habit of all. Change something so your program breaks. Read the red error message from the bottom up: the last line names the problem, and it tells you the exact file and line.

Then run the loop that every engineer runs, forever:

1Run→ 2Read→ 3Ask→ 4Verify

Read the error first, then paste it to your assistant and ask it to explain simply. Understanding plus tools beats tools alone.

6
Day 6  /  ship it

Put it online

A project no one can open is a secret. Ship an ugly, working version and get a real link you can send to a friend.

  • GitHub Pages for a plain web page.
  • Replit or Streamlit to host a small app in minutes.

Find all the free hosting options in the library.

7
Day 7  /  do not go alone

Join the movement

You learn faster with others. Register for free national training, and find one person to build alongside.

Join Abren Code →

Ready is a side effect of starting.

Do not wait to feel ready. Check off step one today.