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Installation

Get started with edgartools in minutes. This guide covers all installation methods and system requirements.

System Requirements

  • Python: 3.8 or higher

Quick Installation

pip install edgartools

For the latest features and bug fixes:

pip install -U edgartools

Using uv (Fast Alternative)

uv pip install edgartools

Development Installation

If you want to contribute or use the latest development version:

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/dgunning/edgartools.git
cd edgartools

# Install in development mode
pip install -e .

# Or with development dependencies
pip install -e ".[dev]"

Verify Installation

Test your installation by running this simple command:

from edgar import get_filings
print("EdgarTools installed successfully!")

Expected output:

EdgarTools installed successfully!

If you see this message, your installation is successful.

If you see ImportError: cannot import name 'get_filings' from 'edgar' then you have likely installed another package named edgar not edgartools. If you encounter this error, uninstall the conflicting package and reinstall edgartools:

pip uninstall edgar
pip install edgartools

Setting Your Identity

Before using edgartools, you must set your identity to comply with SEC requirements:

Method 1: In Python Code

from edgar import set_identity

# Use your name and email
set_identity("John Doe john.doe@company.com")

# Or just your email
set_identity("john.doe@company.com")

Method 2: Environment Variable

Set the EDGAR_IDENTITY environment variable:

Linux/macOS:

export EDGAR_IDENTITY="John Doe john.doe@company.com"

Windows:

set EDGAR_IDENTITY=John Doe john.doe@company.com

Windows PowerShell:

$env:EDGAR_IDENTITY = "John Doe john.doe@company.com"

Optional Dependencies

For enhanced functionality, install these optional packages:

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

ImportError: No module named 'edgar'

Problem: Package not installed correctly Solution: 

pip uninstall edgar
pip install --force-reinstall edgartools

SEC Identity Error

Problem: Identity not set Solution: Follow the Setting Your Identity section above

Permission Errors on Windows

Problem: Insufficient permissions Solution: Run as administrator or use --user flag:

pip install --user edgartools

SSL Certificate Errors

Problem: Corporate firewall or proxy Solution: Configure pip for your proxy:

pip install --trusted-host pypi.org --trusted-host pypi.python.org edgartools

Memory Issues with Large Datasets

Problem: Out of memory errors Solution: - Increase system memory - Use data chunking techniques - Process data in smaller batches

Getting Help

If you encounter issues:

  1. Search existing issues: GitHub Issues
  2. Create a new issue: Include Python version, OS, and error messages
  3. Join the community: Discussions and support channels

Virtual Environment Setup

For isolated development, use virtual environments:

Using venv (Python 3.8+)

# Create virtual environment
python -m venv edgar-env

# Activate (Linux/macOS)
source edgar-env/bin/activate

# Activate (Windows)
edgar-env\Scripts\activate

# Install edgartools
pip install edgartools

# Deactivate when done
deactivate

Performance Optimization

For optimal performance:

  1. Use Local Storage to download and work with SEC filings locally
  2. Set reasonable limits when querying large datasets
  3. Use filtering to reduce data transfer

Next Steps

After installation:

  1. Read the Quick Start Guide for your first analysis
  2. Check the API Reference for detailed documentation

Security Considerations

  • Never commit your identity to version control
  • Use environment variables for production deployments
  • Follow SEC rate limits to avoid being blocked
  • Keep your installation updated for security patches

License

EdgarTools is released under the MIT License. See LICENSE for details.