Getting started with Python Morsels

Welcome! Python Morsels helps you deepen your Python skills through short exercises, screencasts, and articles, delivered at a sustainable pace.

When you sign up, you get 3 free exercise credits, no payment details needed. Each credit lets you claim one exercise of your choice.

Prefer watching to reading? This short video is a quick hello from me and a walkthrough of everything below.

• Step 1: Find an exercise in the Exercise Library
• Step 2: Claim your first exercise
• Step 3: Solve the problem
• Step 4: Submit your work and read the solutions
• Where everything lives
• What happens next

Step 1: Find an exercise in the Exercise Library

Browse the Exercise Library to find an exercise that interests you.

You can switch between the five skill levels (and the guided exercise paths) using the Level menu, search exercises by name, or click a topic tag to find exercises that practice that topic. Clicking an exercise shows you a preview of the problem before you commit to it.

Not sure where to start? If you're brand new, the site will ask you a couple of quick questions and suggest a good first exercise.

Step 2: Claim your first exercise

Once you've found an exercise you like, click Start this exercise.

Claiming uses 1 exercise credit (the button will note how many you have), and claiming is always your choice: credits are never spent automatically. On the All Access plan there are no credits to think about, and you can claim any exercise at any time.

Claiming permanently unlocks that exercise for you: the full problem statement, the tests, and (after you submit) the solution walk-through. Every exercise you claim is collected under My Exercises.

Step 3: Solve the problem

Read the problem statement, then write your solution in the code editor right on the page. Click Save and Test whenever you'd like to run the automated tests against your code, and watch the Test Results panel to see which parts pass.

Most exercises have a base problem plus bonuses. You don't need to solve everything: solving the recommended parts counts as solving the exercise.

If you're stuck, use the hints: each one links to a screencast or article about a technique you might need. And the Start the tour button (at the top of the solve page) gives a step-by-step walkthrough of how everything works.

For much more detail (including debugging tips), see Solving exercises in your browser. Prefer your own editor? You can download the tests and work locally too.

Step 4: Submit your work and read the solutions

When you're satisfied with your solution, or your time is up, click Read the solutions.

You don't need working code to do this! Submitting an honest attempt (even a partial one) is exactly how Python Morsels is meant to work, and the solution walk-through (where I walk through several approaches to each part) will make more sense after you've wrestled with the problem.

Submitting also asks whether you'd like to revisit the exercise in a few weeks. Solving an exercise again from scratch is one of the most effective ways to make what you learned stick, so I recommend scheduling a revisit for most exercises.

Where everything lives

• Exercise Library: every exercise, browsable by skill level and searchable by topic.
• My Exercises: the exercises you've claimed, filterable by in progress, solved, and scheduled revisits.
• Your dashboard: the best next step whenever you log in, whether that's an exercise in progress, a revisit that's due, or a new recommendation.
• Screencasts and articles: short watches and reads, grouped by topic.
• Preferences: your skill level, email frequency, and other settings.

What happens next

You'll get exercise recommendation emails on whatever schedule you choose: daily, weekly, monthly, or never (the Preferences page controls this).

My biggest tip: make it a habit. Solving one exercise a week beats binge-solving ten in a weekend, because consistent bite-sized practice is how learning actually sticks. If you're having trouble setting time aside, schedule a recurring time on your calendar right now.

Questions about the trial or the paid plans? See the new subscriber FAQ, or email me anytime.