SetupConda.md

@@ -26,5 +26,46 @@ source ~/mambaforge/bin/activate
 
 the exact command depends on where conda was installed.
 
-# create a new environment from an environment file
+# create a new CDS environment from an environment file
 
+Create and activate a new cds environment.  These commands require that you're in a shell with the base conda environment active (see above).
+
+## Find a CDS environment file
+
+With a web browser look in 
+
+```
+https://apt.ligo-wa.caltech.edu/sources/conda/environments/
+```
+
+for an environment file that suits your needs, for example
+
+```
+https://apt.ligo-wa.caltech.edu/sources/conda/environments/linux-64/cds-py37.yaml
+```
+
+## create the environment
+
+Create the environment as with this example:
+
+```
+conda env create --file https://apt.ligo-wa.caltech.edu/sources/conda/environments/linux-64/cds-py37.yaml
+```
+
+The exact url will depend on which environment file you wish to use.
+
+This creating will take a long time, maybe hours.
+
+## activate the new environment
+
+Activate the environment using the environments name, which is also the name of the environment file.  For the environment created with
+
+```
+https://apt.ligo-wa.caltech.edu/sources/conda/environments/linux-64/cds-py37.yaml
+```
+
+activate with
+
+```
+conda activate cds-py37
+```