CoilPad Documentation

Getting Started

Installation

macOS:

1. Download CoilPad for macOS (Universal Binary - works on both Apple Silicon and Intel)
2. Open the downloaded .dmg file
3. Drag CoilPad to your Applications folder
4. Launch CoilPad from Applications

Windows:

1. Download CoilPad for Windows (portable ZIP)
2. Extract the downloaded .zip file to a folder of your choice
3. Run CoilPad.exe from the extracted folder
4. Optionally, create a shortcut to your Desktop or Start Menu

System Requirements

macOS:

• macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later
• Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) or Intel processor
• Python 3.x (CoilPad will help you manage Python environments)

Windows:

• Windows 10 or later
• x64 (64-bit) processor
• Python 3.x (bundled with Windows installer or use your own)

Quick Start

Once CoilPad is installed:

1. Launch the app - you'll see a clean editor on the left and output panel on the right
2. Type some Python code (try: print("Hello, CoilPad!"))
3. Watch the output appear instantly as you type - no need to click "Run"!
4. Experiment freely - CoilPad runs in an isolated environment, so you can't break anything

Core Features

⚡ Instant Feedback Loop

CoilPad executes your Python code in real-time as you type. No need to save files or click "Run" - just write code and see results immediately.

• Real-time execution: See output as you type
• Error highlighting: Syntax errors and exceptions are displayed clearly in the output panel
• Native performance: Runs locally on your Mac - no network latency

📑 Tab Management

Organize your code experiments across multiple tabs.

• Free version: 1 tab for quick experiments
• Pro version: Unlimited tabs to organize multiple projects
• Each tab maintains its own code and state
• Switch between tabs with keyboard shortcuts

CoilPad's clean interface with instant feedback

✨ AI-Powered Code Explanations

Get instant AI-powered explanations for any code snippet using your own OpenRouter API key. Available for all users (Free and Pro).

Setting Up AI Assistant

1. Open Settings (⌘,) and navigate to "AI Assistant" tab
2. Get a free API key from OpenRouter.ai
3. Paste your API key and click "Test Connection"
4. Choose your preferred AI model (10 models available)
5. Your API key is stored securely using macOS Keychain encryption

Using Code Explanations

1. Select any code snippet in the editor
2. Right-click to open the context menu
3. Choose "Highlight Code Snippet to Explain (Simple)" for a quick overview
4. Or choose "Highlight Code Snippet to Explain (Deep Dive)" for comprehensive analysis
5. View the explanation in a modal with syntax-highlighted code

Available Models

🔍 Code Execution Stack Trace

Track how variables evolve during code execution. Perfect for understanding loops, iterations, and program flow. Available for all users (Free and Pro).

How to Use

1. Run your Python code in CoilPad
2. Right-click on any line number in the output panel
3. Select "Show Variable History"
4. View how variables changed up to that execution point

What You'll See

• Variable evolution: See how each variable's value changed throughout execution
• Start and end markers: Clearly marked initial and final values
• Line references: Know exactly which line each change occurred on
• Loop tracking: Perfect for understanding how loops modify variables

Track variable changes through your code execution

🔬 Coil Lab

CoilPad includes a built-in 🔬 Coil Lab with 40+ comprehensive Python topics, from beginner to expert level.

Accessing the 🔬 Coil Lab

1. Click the "🔬 Coil Lab" button in the toolbar, or press ⌘. (Command+Period)
2. Browse topics organized by difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
3. Click any topic to open it in a split-pane view

Using the Split-Pane View

When you open a learning topic:

• Left pane: Documentation with explanations and code examples
• Right pane: Live editor where you can run and modify examples
• Copy examples to the editor with one click
• Experiment with the code and see results instantly

Free vs Pro Topics

🔬 Coil Lab with documentation on the left and live editor on the right

Package Management

CoilPad includes a visual package manager that makes it easy to create virtual environments and install packages without touching the command line.

Creating a Virtual Environment

1. Open Settings (⌘,) or click the gear icon
2. Navigate to "Python"
3. Click "Create New Environment"
4. CoilPad will create an isolated virtual environment for you

Installing Packages

1. Select your virtual environment from the dropdown
2. Click "Install Package"
3. Type the package name (e.g., "pandas", "numpy", "requests")
4. Click Install - CoilPad will download and install it via pip
5. The package is now available in your code!

Switching Environments

Use the environment dropdown in Settings to switch between different virtual environments. Each environment has its own installed packages, keeping your projects isolated.

Visual package manager - no command line needed

🐍 Python Interpreter Selection

Choose which Python interpreter CoilPad uses to create virtual environments. This is essential when packages require newer Python versions than your system default.

Why Change Python Interpreter?

Some Python packages require specific Python versions:

• System Python: Often Python 3.9 or older on macOS
• Homebrew Python: Latest versions (3.11, 3.12, etc.)
• Example: yfinance requires Python 3.11+

How to Switch to Homebrew Python

Step 1: Install Homebrew Python

brew install python@3.12

Step 2: Configure CoilPad

1. Open Settings (⌘,) → Python tab
2. Click "Browse..." button
3. Navigate to /opt/homebrew/bin/
4. Select python3.12
5. Click "Validate" - you should see: ✅ Valid: Python 3.12.x

Step 3: Recreate Virtual Environment

1. Click "Delete Virtual Environment" (if you have one)
2. Click "Create Virtual Environment"
3. Your new venv now uses Python 3.12!

Common Python Paths

What Happens Behind the Scenes

• Configuration: Your Python path is saved to ~/.coilpad/config.json
• Venv Creation: CoilPad uses your selected Python to create the virtual environment
• Persistence: Your choice persists across app restarts
• Reset: Click "Reset to Default" to return to python3

Settings & Customization

Make CoilPad truly yours with customizable themes, fonts, and editor preferences.

Accessing Settings

• Press ⌘, (Command + Comma)
• Or click the gear icon in the toolbar

Available Themes

Choose from 7 developer-favorite themes:

• VS Dark
• GitHub Dark
• Dracula
• Monokai
• Solarized Dark
• Nord
• Light (for daytime coding)

Font Customization

• Font Family: Choose your preferred monospace font
• Font Size: Adjust for comfortable reading (12px - 24px)
• Changes apply instantly - no restart needed

Customize themes, fonts, and more

Pro Features

Upgrade to CoilPad Pro for unlimited tabs, all learning topics, and priority support.

What's Included

• ✨ Unlimited tabs - organize multiple projects
• 📚 All 40+ learning topics - beginner to expert
• 🔄 1 year of free updates
• 💻 Use on up to 2 machines
• 📧 Standard Email Support - app & bug fixes only

Activating Your License

1. After purchasing, you'll receive a license key via email
2. Open CoilPad and go to Settings
3. Navigate to "License" section
4. Enter your license key and click "Activate"
5. Pro features are now unlocked!

Multi-Device Usage

Your Pro license works on up to 2 machines. To move your license to a different machine:

1. Deactivate the license on the old machine (Settings → License → Deactivate)
2. Activate it on your new machine using the same license key

Troubleshooting & FAQ

Common Issues

Still Need Help?