Developer-setup.md

+## Prerequisites
+
+Before starting, install the following tools:
+
+- Python 3.8 or later
+- Pip package manager
+
+For more information on these tools, see the public documentation on
+[Python](https://www.python.org/downloads/) or
+[Pip](https://pip.pypa.io/en/stable/installing/)
+
+Development can be done on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
+
+## Installation
+
+From the root of your cloned repo, generate a virtual environment with a
+specific version of python.
+
+Windows
+```bash
+python -m venv .env
+.env\Scripts\activate.bat
+```
+
+Linux / MacOS
+```bash
+python3 -m venv .env
+. ./.env/bin/activate
+```
+
+Next install the package in developer mode and any necessary development packages.
+
+```bash
+pip install -e .
+pip install -r requirements.txt
+```
+
+You should now be able to run the command line.
+
+```bash
+osdu
+```
+
+## Validation
+
+You can run local validation including testing and linting using the provided scripts.
+
+Windows
+```bash
+scripts\verify.bat
+```
+
+Linux / MacOS
+```bash
+./scripts/verify
+```
+
+The above can take the following optional arguments to just run specific portions of the validation:
+* lint
+* tests 
+
+e.g. 
+```bash
+./scripts/verify lint
+```
+
+To run a more fuller validation across all supported python versions run tox.
+```bash
+tox
+```
+
+If needed, configure the paths to the relevant python installations for tox as follows.
+```bash
+set TOX_DISCOVER=C:\Applications\miniconda3\envs\py39\python.exe
+```
+
+## VS Code Extensions
+
+If you are using VS Code, it is recommended you install two extensions
+(`ext install <name>`):
+
+- [python](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=donjayamanne.python)
+- [code-spell-checker](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=streetsidesoftware.code-spell-checker)
+
+Keep the project dictionary up to date by adding exclusions when running spell
+check.
+
+For different virtual environments, it is also important to update the workspace
+Python interpreter. Select an interpreter by running the `Python: Select
+Workspace Interpreter` command.
+
+## Conventions
+
+Before submitting any pull requests for merging, be sure to review the
+requirements and suggestions outlined in the [[coding conventions|Conventions]] documentation.