KDB-X Install

This quickstart guides you through the install, configuration, and gets you exploring the new features of KDB-X. Whether you're new or upgrading, follow these steps to get set up quickly and smoothly.

Prerequisites

We support the following operating systems: Linux, Linux ARM, Windows (WSL) and MacOS .

  • For MacOS, it is recommended to install HomeBrew before attempting to install KDB-X.

  • Ensure you have access to a terminal, for example, Command Prompt, Terminal app or Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

Sign up

Ensure you have signed up for KDB-X here.

KDB-X install

Once you have signed up for KDB-X and received your onboarding email, follow the instructions below.

Tip

We recommend you make a note of your license key contained in the email as you will need it when you install KDB-X.

Let's now install KDB-X. Select your preferred environment for running KDB-X:

Linux / Windows (WSL)

Quick install (Recommended)

To begin, run the commands below in a Linux terminal. For Windows machines, the KDB-X installer is only compatible with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) at this time. Using Windows without WSL? Follow Microsoft's setup guide to install it.

KDB-X (Required)

Copy the license key from your onboarding email and paste it into the following command:

Bash

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curl -sLO https://portal.dl.kx.com/assets/raw/kdb-x/install_kdb/~latest~/install_kdb.sh && bash install_kdb.sh --b64lic INSERT_YOUR_LICENSE_KEY_HERE

KDB-X Python Library (Optional)

Bash

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pip install --upgrade --pre pykx

Offline install (Intel / AMD)

To begin, use the link to download the required assets.

  2. Unzip and install KDB-X. Copy the license key from your onboarding email and paste it into the following command:

    Bash

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    unzip l64-bundle.zip && bash install_kdb.sh --offline --b64lic INSERT_YOUR_LICENSE_KEY_HERE

Offline install (ARM)

To begin, use the link to download the required assets.

  2. Unzip and install KDB-X. Copy the license key from your onboarding email and paste it into the following command:

    Bash

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    unzip l64arm-bundle.zip && bash install_kdb.sh --offline --b64lic INSERT_YOUR_LICENSE_KEY_HERE

Mac OS

Quick install (Recommended)

To begin, run the commands below in a MacOS terminal.

KDB-X (Required)

Copy the license key from your onboarding email and paste it into the following command:

Bash

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curl -sLO https://portal.dl.kx.com/assets/raw/kdb-x/install_kdb/~latest~/install_kdb.sh && bash install_kdb.sh --b64lic INSERT_YOUR_LICENSE_KEY_HERE

KDB-X Python Library (Optional)

Bash

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pip install --upgrade --pre pykx

Offline install

To begin, use the link to download the required assets.

  2. Unzip and install KDB-X. Copy the license key from your onboarding email and paste it into the following command:

    Bash

    Copy
    Copy 
    unzip l64-bundle.zip && bash install_kdb.sh --offline --b64lic INSERT_YOUR_LICENSE_KEY_HERE

Verify KDB-X installation

To verify if you successfully installed KDB-X, run:

Bash

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$ q

This command should display the installed version, build date, and environment details:

Bash

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KDB-X 0.1.0 2025.06.25 Copyright (C) 1993-2025 Kx Systems
l64/ 16(24)core 15644MB user machine 127.0.1.1 EXPIRE 2025.09.30 user@site.com COMMUNITY #12345678

Welcome to KDB-X Community Edition!
For Community support, please visit https://kx.com/slack
Tutorials can be found at https://github.com/KxSystems/tutorials
Ready to go beyond the Community Edition? Email preview@kx.com

q)

Now that you started a q process, you're ready to execute q code:

q

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q)1+1
2

Tip

To exit the process, type \\ and hit Enter.

What's next?

Now that you have KDB-X for Python set up here are some great ways to help you on your journey:

Thank you for exploring KDB-X. Your journey into high-performance data processing has just begun!