---
title: Getting started with Insiders
---

# Getting started with Insiders

*Markdown Exec Insiders* is a compatible drop-in replacement for *Markdown Exec*,
and can be installed similarly using `pip` or `git`.
Note that in order to access the Insiders  repository,
you need to [become an eligible sponsor] of @pawamoy on GitHub.

  [become an eligible sponsor]: index.md#how-to-become-a-sponsor

## Installation

### with PyPI Insiders

[PyPI Insiders](https://pawamoy.github.io/pypi-insiders/)
is a tool that helps you keep up-to-date versions
of Insiders projects in the PyPI index of your choice
(self-hosted, Google registry, Artifactory, etc.).

See [how to install it](https://pawamoy.github.io/pypi-insiders/#installation)
and [how to use it](https://pawamoy.github.io/pypi-insiders/#usage).

**We kindly ask that you do not upload the distributions to public registries,
as it is against our [Terms of use](index.md#terms).**

### with pip (ssh/https)

*Markdown Exec Insiders* can be installed with `pip` [using SSH][using ssh]:

```bash
pip install git+ssh://git@github.com/pawamoy-insiders/markdown-exec.git
```

  [using ssh]: https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/connecting-to-github-with-ssh

Or using HTTPS:

```bash
pip install git+https://${GH_TOKEN}@github.com/pawamoy-insiders/markdown-exec.git
```

>? NOTE: **How to get a GitHub personal access token**  
> The `GH_TOKEN` environment variable is a GitHub token.
> It can be obtained by creating a [personal access token] for
> your GitHub account. It will give you access to the Insiders repository,
> programmatically, from the command line or GitHub Actions workflows:
> 
> 1.  Go to https://github.com/settings/tokens
> 2.  Click on [Generate a new token]
> 3.  Enter a name and select the [`repo`][scopes] scope
> 4.  Generate the token and store it in a safe place
> 
>   [personal access token]: https://docs.github.com/en/github/authenticating-to-github/creating-a-personal-access-token
>   [Generate a new token]: https://github.com/settings/tokens/new
>   [scopes]: https://docs.github.com/en/developers/apps/scopes-for-oauth-apps#available-scopes
> 
> Note that the personal access
> token must be kept secret at all times, as it allows the owner to access your
> private repositories.

### with Git

Of course, you can use *Markdown Exec Insiders* directly using Git:

```
git clone git@github.com:pawamoy-insiders/markdown-exec
```

When cloning with Git, the package must be installed:

```
pip install -e markdown-exec
```

## Upgrading

When upgrading Insiders, you should always check the version of *Markdown Exec*
which makes up the first part of the version qualifier. For example, a version like
`8.x.x.4.x.x` means that Insiders `4.x.x` is currently based on `8.x.x`.

If the major version increased, it's a good idea to consult the [changelog]
and go through the steps to ensure your configuration is up to date and
all necessary changes have been made.

  [changelog]: ./changelog.md
