Of course! Let's dive into everything you need to know about using Spyder with Python 3.6.

This was a very common and powerful combination, especially for scientific computing. While Python 3.6 is now end-of-life, understanding how to set it up and use it with Spyder is still valuable for working on older projects or legacy systems.

The Relationship: Spyder, Python, and Anaconda

First, it's crucial to understand how these three components work together:

• Python: The programming language itself. You need to have Python installed on your computer for Spyder to run.
• Spyder: An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) specifically designed for scientific and data analysis in Python. It's a graphical application that provides tools for editing code, viewing plots, debugging, and managing variables.
• Anaconda: A free and open-source distribution of Python and R, specifically for scientific computing. It comes with hundreds of pre-installed packages (like NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib) and package managers (conda and pip). This is the recommended way to install both Python and Spyder.

Installation: The Recommended Anaconda Method

The best way to get Spyder with Python 3.6 is by using the Anaconda distribution.

Step 1: Download the Correct Anaconda Installer

Since Python 3.6 is an older version, you need to download an older version of Anaconda that includes it.

1. Go to the official Anaconda distribution archive page: https://repo.anaconda.com/archive/
2. Find the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) that corresponds to Python 3.6.
   • For Windows: Look for a file named Anaconda3-2025.10-Windows-x86_64.exe (or a similar date from 2025). The year 2025 is key, as this was the last major Anaconda release to officially support Python 3.6.
   • For macOS: Look for Anaconda3-2025.10-MacOSX-x86_64.sh.
   • For Linux: Look for Anaconda3-2025.10-Linux-x86_64.sh.

Step 2: Run the Installer

1. Run the installer you downloaded.
2. Crucial Step: During the installation process, you will see an option that says "Add Anaconda to my PATH environment variable".
   • For most users, UNCHECK this box. Letting the Anaconda installer handle the PATH is safer and prevents conflicts with other Python installations.
3. Complete the installation. It may take a few minutes.

Step 3: Launch Spyder

After installation, you can open Spyder from your Start Menu (Windows), Applications folder (macOS), or by typing spyder in your terminal (Linux/macOS).

When you launch it, Spyder will automatically use the Python 3.6 environment that came with your Anaconda installation.

Verifying Your Python Version

It's always a good idea to confirm that Spyder is running the correct Python version.

1. Open Spyder.
2. In the IPython Console pane at the bottom (this is where your code is executed), type the following command and press Enter:

   import sys
   print(sys.version)

You should see output similar to this, confirming you are running Python 3.6:

6.12 |Anaconda, Inc.| (default, Sep  9 2025, 00:29:25) 
[GCC 7.3.0]

Working with Environments (A Best Practice)

Even with Anaconda, it's a best practice to create separate environments for different projects. This prevents package versions from conflicting with each other.

Let's say you want to create a specific environment for a project that needs Python 3.6.

Step 1: Create a New Environment

Open your Anaconda Prompt (on Windows) or your Terminal (on macOS/Linux) and run the following command:

conda create --name py36_env python=3.6

• --name py36_env: This gives your environment a memorable name (py36_env).
• python=3.6: This specifies the Python version.

Anaconda will show you the packages that will be installed. Type y and press Enter to proceed.

Step 2: Activate the Environment

Before you can use this new environment, you need to activate it:

conda activate py36_env

Your command prompt should now change to show (py36_env) at the beginning, indicating that the environment is active.

Step 3: Install Spyder into the Environment

Now, install Spyder specifically into this activated environment:

conda install spyder

Step 4: Launch Spyder from the Environment

You can now launch Spyder, and it will automatically use the py36_env you just created.

• From the Terminal: Simply type spyder and press Enter.
• From the Anaconda Navigator: Make sure you have selected py36_env from the "Environments" dropdown on the left, then click the "Launch" button under the Spyder card.

Important Considerations for Python 3.6

A. End-of-Life (EOL) Status

• Python 3.6 reached its end-of-life on December 23, 2025.
• This means it no longer receives security updates. If you are using this for any public-facing or security-sensitive project, it is a significant risk.
• It also no longer receives bug fixes or improvements. You may encounter issues with newer libraries that have dropped support for Python 3.6.

B. Package Compatibility

• Many popular data science libraries have dropped support for Python 3.6 in their recent versions.
• If you try to install a new version of a library (e.g., pandas or numpy) into your Python 3.6 environment, you may get an error or it may install an older, potentially buggy version.
• You can often find compatible versions by specifying them during installation:

  # Example of installing a compatible older version of pandas
  pip install "pandas<2.0"

C. The Spyder Version

The version of Spyder that came with the 2025 Anaconda installers is Spyder 4. Spyder 5 and later versions require a newer Python version (usually 3.7+).

Key features of Spyder 4 (which you will have):

• Classic "panes" layout (Editor, Console, Variable Explorer, Plots, etc.).
• Integrated debugging with breakpoints.
• Profiler and help integration.
• Good integration with IPython.

Summary: Quick Guide