simpo-environment-setup

SimPO Environment Setup

Critical: Use Python 3.10

The SimPO project and its tests require Python 3.10. If the system has a different Python version (e.g., 3.12), you must install and use Python 3.10 explicitly.

Step-by-step Setup

# 1. Install Python 3.10 using uv (or conda/pyenv)
uv python install 3.10

# 2. Create a virtual environment with Python 3.10
cd /root/SimPO
uv venv --python 3.10 .venv

# 3. Activate the virtual environment
source .venv/bin/activate

# 4. Verify Python version
python -VV
# Should show Python 3.10.x

# 5. Install project dependencies
# If there's a requirements.txt or setup.py:
pip install torch torchvision torchaudio
pip install transformers trl accelerate datasets
pip install numpy

# Or install from the project:
# pip install -e .

# 6. If there are conflicts with pre-installed packages (e.g., system torch for 3.12),
# the venv isolates you from those. Install everything fresh in the venv.

Generate python_info.txt

# Must be run with the Python 3.10 venv activated
python -VV > /root/python_info.txt 2>&1
python -m pip freeze >> /root/python_info.txt

Run the Unit Test

# With the Python 3.10 venv activated
cd /root/SimPO
python unit_test/unit_test_1.py

This will generate /root/loss.npz with key 'losses'.

Common Issues

1. Wrong Python version: If /root/python_info.txt shows Python 3.12, the test will fail. Always verify python -VV shows 3.10.
2. Package conflicts: If system packages conflict, create a clean venv with Python 3.10.
3. CUDA availability: The unit test may run on CPU. Ensure torch is installed correctly for the available hardware.
4. uv tool: If uv is available, it's the easiest way to install a specific Python version:

   uv python install 3.10
   uv venv --python 3.10 /root/SimPO/.venv
   

5. Alternative with conda:

   conda create -n simpo python=3.10 -y
   conda activate simpo
   pip install torch transformers trl accelerate datasets numpy