en-US/about_Install-TechAgentRuntime.help.txt

 
# about_Install-TechAgentRuntime
 
## SHORT DESCRIPTION
 
Bootstraps the local Python runtime environment used by Invoke-TechAgent and related
AI/agent functions in TechToolbox.
 
## LONG DESCRIPTION
 
Install-TechAgentRuntime bootstraps the Python virtual environment (.venv) that supports
Invoke-TechAgent and other AI-capable tools within TechToolbox. It creates or repairs a
repository-scoped virtual environment at <moduleRoot>\.venv\ and installs the agent
dependencies listed in Agent\requirements.txt.
 
### What it does
 
- Initializes the TechToolbox runtime via Initialize-TechToolboxRuntime.
- Locates the Python interpreter (uses -PythonPath if given, otherwise falls back to
  python, then py -3).
- Creates a new virtual environment at <moduleRoot>\.venv\ if one does not already exist,
  or optionally deletes and recreates it when -ForceRecreateVenv is used.
- Optionally upgrades pip, setuptools, and wheel inside the virtual environment.
- Installs Python packages from AI\Agent\requirements.txt using the venv's pip.
- Optionally pulls an Ollama model after installation when -PullModel is specified.
- Returns a [PSCustomObject] summarising the runtime details (Python version, executable,
  LangChain version, etc.).
 
### Requirements
 
- Windows with Python installed (python or py on PATH).
- Ollama installed on PATH if -PullModel is used.
- The agent requirements file at <moduleRoot>\AI\Agent\requirements.txt must exist.
 
### Typical Usage
 
Install the runtime without pulling a model:
 
```powershell
Install-TechAgentRuntime
```
 
Upgrade pip, upgrade all packages, and pull a specific model:
 
```powershell
Install-TechAgentRuntime -UpgradePip -UpgradePackages -PullModel -Model "qwen3.6:35b"
```
 
Use an explicit Python executable:
 
```powershell
Install-TechAgentRuntime -PythonPath "C:\Python312\python.exe"
```
 
Force a fresh virtual environment from scratch:
 
```powershell
Install-TechAgentRuntime -ForceRecreateVenv
```
 
### Parameters
 
- **PythonPath**: Specifies an explicit Python executable to use when building the virtual
  environment. If omitted, the command searches PATH for python then py.
- **ForceRecreateVenv**: When present, deletes any existing .venv directory before creating
  a fresh virtual environment. Use with caution as this removes all previously installed
  packages.
- **UpgradePip**: When present, upgrades pip, setuptools, and wheel inside the virtual
  environment before installing requirements.
- **UpgradePackages**: When present, adds --upgrade to the pip install command so that
  existing packages are also upgraded.
- **PullModel**: When present, pulls an Ollama model after installing Python requirements.
- **Model**: Specifies the Ollama model name to pull. If omitted, defaults to the value of
  settings.agent.model from the TechToolbox configuration.
 
### Return Value
 
Returns a [PSCustomObject] with these properties:
 
- **VenvPath**: Full path to the virtual environment directory.
- **PythonExecutable**: Path to the Python interpreter inside .venv.
- **PythonVersion**: Version string reported by platform.python_version().
- **LangChainVersion**: Version of the langchain package installed in the venv.
- **RequirementsPath**: Path to the requirements.txt file used.
- **ModelPulled**: Boolean indicating whether a model was pulled.
- **Model**: The model name that was pulled (null if -PullModel not used).
- **Success**: Always $true when the command completes without error.
 
### Notes
 
- This function depends on Initialize-TechToolboxRuntime and must be able to locate the
  TechToolbox module root.
- If Python is not found on PATH, an error is thrown suggesting installation or use of
  -PythonPath.
- If the Ollama executable is not found when -PullModel is used, an error is thrown.
- The command respects -WhatIf and -Confirm via SupportsShouldProcess for all mutating
  operations (venv creation/removal, pip upgrades, package installation, model pulling).
 
## EXAMPLES
 
### Example 1: Default bootstrap
 
```powershell
Install-TechAgentRuntime
```
 
Installs the Python runtime using the default python interpreter and the configured
default model (if any) from settings.
 
### Example 2: Full upgrade with model pull
 
```powershell
Install-TechAgentRuntime -UpgradePip -UpgradePackages -PullModel -Model "qwen3.6:35b"
```
 
Upgrades pip, installs all agent dependencies with --upgrade, and pulls the specified
Ollama model.
 
## SEE ALSO
 
- Invoke-TechAgent
- Initialize-TechToolboxRuntime
- Get-TechToolboxConfig
 
## KEYWORDS
 
Install-TechAgentRuntime, TechAgent, Python, virtual environment, .venv, pip, Ollama,
LangChain, requirements, bootstrap, agent runtime