Building your first Qollab project

Set up Python and Qiskit, run your first circuit on real IonQ hardware, then publish your project on Qollab.

Stewart Smith
·1 January 2026

This guide will walk you through downloading, installing, and enjoying Python via the UV package installer and project manager.

7 lessons · ~1 hour

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What you'll learn

This course takes you from an empty machine to a published project. You set up Python, UV, and Qiskit locally, learn the Python you need, then get IonQ access and run your first circuit on real quantum hardware, and finally create a project on Qollab and use the Code Playground to share what you built.

  • How to set up a local Python, UV, and Qiskit toolchain
  • The Python basics that quantum programs are written with
  • How to simulate circuits with IonQ and then run them on real QPUs
  • How to create a project on Qollab and share it in the Code Playground

Course contents

  1. 01Setup Python on your machineThis guide will walk you through downloading, installing, and enjoying Python via the UV package installer and project manager.
  2. 02Learn Python language basicsPython has become the de facto programming language of quantum computing. This guide highlights some basic Python commands and logic; foundational elements to build from.
  3. 03Setup IBM’s Qiskit SDKThis guide details how to install IBM’s Qiskit quantum computing packages for Python, using the UV package manager.
  4. 04Setup and simulate with IonQCreate and leverage a free IonQ account to run an example quantum circuit on IonQ’s cloud simulator. Builds upon our previous tutorials for installing Python via UV, and installing IBM’s Qiskit SDK.
  5. 05Run circuits on IonQ’s quantum hardwareRun a quantum circuit on IonQ’s quantum hardware and receive the results asynchronously. Builds upon our previous tutorials for executing quantum circuits on IonQ’s cloud simulator, and installing Python via UV.
  6. 06Create a Project on QollabThis guide highlights the steps to build and publish your project; a step-by-step walkthrough of Qollab's project creation process, from naming your work to releasing it for the community to discover.
  7. 07Use the Code PlaygroundRun Qiskit circuits live in your browser, from editing Python to choosing a QPU and reading your results.
Your instructor
Stewart Smith

Stewart Smith is an award-winning creative technologist, artist, writer, and speaker. He’s led innovation teams across ten time zones, and wields wisdom accrued from his years with Google, Amazon, and Unity. Educated as a graphic designer (MFA, Yale University), his work has spanned quantum computing, artificial intelligence, spatial computing, aerospace, and fine art.

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