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First Django Project

  • Learn how to create and run your first Django project step-by-step.

  • Why This Lesson Is Important?

    This is the first hands-on step in Django.
     After this lesson, students will:

    • Create a Django project

    • Understand Django file structure

    • Run the development server

    • See Django working in the browser

    This builds confidence and removes fear of Django.

    1. Creating First Django Project

    What is a Django Project?

    A Django Project:

    • Is the main container

    • Holds settings, URLs, and configurations

    • Can contain multiple Django apps

    👉 One project = One website

    Steps Before Creating Project

    1. Activate virtual environment

    2. Django must be installed

    Code Example: Create Django Project

Creating a Django Project

Generates default Django project structure 

django-admin startproject myproject

  • Project Folder Structure

    myproject/

    │

    ├── manage.py

    ├── myproject/

    │   ├── __init__.py

    │   ├── settings.py

    │   ├── urls.py

    │   ├── asgi.py

    │   └── wsgi.py

    Explanation of Files

    File

    Purpose

    manage.py

    Command-line utility

    settings.py

    Project configuration

    urls.py

    URL routing

    wsgi.py

    Deployment (WSGI)

    asgi.py

    Async support

    Alternative (Recommended) Project Creation

Project Creation in Current Folder

Avoids nested folder confusion 

django-admin startproject myproject .

  • 2. Running Django Development Server

    What is Development Server?

    Django provides a built-in lightweight server used only for:

    • Development

    • Testing

    • Learning

    ❌ Not used in production

    Code Example: Run Django Server

Starting Django Development Server

Starts Django local server 

python manage.py runserver

  • Output in Browser

    Open browser and visit:

    http://127.0.0.1:8000/

    You will see:

    🎉 The install worked successfully! Congratulations!

    What Happens Internally?

    1. Django loads settings

    2. Starts local server

    3. Listens on port 8000

    4. Responds to HTTP requests

    3. Changing Server Port (Optional but Useful)

    Why Change Port?

    • Multiple servers running

    • Avoid port conflict

    Code Example: Run Server on Custom Port

Custom Port Server

Runs server on port 8080 

python manage.py runserver 8080

  • 4. Common Beginner Errors & Solutions

    Error

    Reason

    Solution

    django-admin not found

    PATH issue

    Reinstall Django

    Port already in use

    Another service running

    Change port

    ModuleNotFoundError

    venv not active

    Activate venv

    5. Quick Test: Modify Home Page Message

    Why This Test?

    Shows Django is fully working

    Code Example: Test Django Response [views.py]

Test Django Setup

Returns simple HTTP response 

from django.http import HttpResponse

def home(request):
    return HttpResponse("My First Django Project")

urls.py 

from django.urls import path
from .views import home

urlpatterns = [
    path("", home),
]
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