> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mage-staging.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Install Python packages

> Use 3rd party Python packages in your project and pipelines.

<Frame>
  <img alt="Python mecha" src="https://github.com/mage-ai/assets/blob/main/development/python-package.png?raw=true" width="250" />
</Frame>

## Add Python packages to `requirements.txt`

At the root of your project directory, there is a file named `requirements.txt`. Open this file
and add the Python package you want installed and available throughout your entire project.

For example, if your project is named `demo_project` then the file will be located at
`demo_project/requirements.txt`.

## Example

`[project_name]/requirements.txt`

```
matplotlib
tqdm
```

## Automatic installation

To automatically install the packages in `requirements.txt`, you'll need to make sure the
environment variable `USER_CODE_PATH` is set to the value of your project path (e.g. `/home/src/project_name`).

Mage's `run_app.sh` script automatically installs the requirements.txt under the `USER_CODE_PATH` before server starts.