==========
Quickstart
==========

.. image:: _static/cuddles-transparent-small.png
   :alt: Karen Rustard's Cuddles

(Thanks to Karen Rustad for Cuddles!)


**HOW TO GET HY REAL FAST**:

1. Create a `Virtual Python Environment
   <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/virtualenv>`_
2. Activate your Virtual Python Environment
3. Install `hy from PyPI <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/hy>`_ with ``pip install hy``
4. Start a REPL with ``hy``
5. Type stuff in the REPL::

       => (print "Hy!")
       Hy!
       => (defn salutationsnm [name] (print (+ "Hy " name "!")))
       => (salutationsnm "YourName")
       Hy YourName!

       etc

6. Hit CTRL-D when you're done

OMG! That's amazing! I want to write a hy program.

7. Open up an elite programming editor and type::

       (print "I was going to code in python syntax, but then I got hy.")

8. Save as ``awesome.hy``
9. And run your first Hy program::

        hy awesome.hy

10. Take a deep breath so as to not hyperventilate
11. Smile villainously and sneak off to your hydeaway and do
    unspeakable things