diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d0f6220..698da0f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -75,6 +75,7 @@ Set the `ZCONFIG` environment variable to point at a config somewhere else (both
       "localRoot":   "C:\\dev\\myapp",                // project folder on this machine
       "startModule": "myapp.main",                    // python kind: runs "python -m myapp.main"
    // "startApp":    "app.main:app",                  //   ...or, for ASGI/FastAPI: uvicorn app.main:app --port <dev> --reload
+      "install":     "-e .",                          // optional: pip args `zsetup` uses (auto-detects "-e ." / "-r requirements.txt")
       "ports":       { "dev": 8080, "prod": 3000 },   // local dev port / direct server port
       "domain":      "www.myapp.com",                 // public domain (health checks + verification)
       "start": {                                      // optional zstart pre-steps
@@ -101,6 +102,7 @@ Set the `ZCONFIG` environment variable to point at a config somewhere else (both
 
 Optional blocks do real work:
 
+- **`install`** — how `zsetup` installs a python project's dependencies into its `.venv`: the pip args, e.g. `"-e ."`, `"-e backend"` (deps in a subfolder), or `"-r requirements.txt"`. Omit it and `zsetup` auto-detects a root `pyproject.toml`/`setup.py` (`-e .`) or `requirements.txt` (`-r requirements.txt`). `zstart` never installs — run `zsetup <key>` once, then `zstart <key>`.
 - **`start`** — pre-start steps for `zstart`: `gitPull: true` runs `git pull --ff-only` in the project root first (never starts a stale checkout), and `env` sets environment variables for the dev-server process (feature flags, reload switches).
 - **`db`** — deploys wait for `pg_isready` and `zbackup_ec2` pulls a `pg_dump`, both against the compose service named `db`. Omit it and those steps are skipped cleanly.
 - **`deploy.gitPull`** — `git pull --ff-only` in the project root before zipping, so a merged PR actually ships. Since `zdeploy` zips your working tree, a checkout left behind `origin` would otherwise deploy stale code *and still bump the build number* — a silent no-op that looks like success. A failed pull (dirty tree that conflicts, diverged history) aborts the deploy rather than shipping uncertain code.
@@ -116,6 +118,7 @@ The `.cmd` wrappers are the everyday interface. Every command takes one or more
 
 | Command | What it does |
 |---|---|
+| `zsetup <key> ...` | Create the project's Python venv + install deps (or `npm install` for node) |
 | `zstart <key> ...` | Start local dev server(s) |
 | `zstartd <key> ...` | Same, detached (new window, returns immediately) |
 | `zkill <key> ... \| all` | Kill local dev server(s) by port |
diff --git a/bash/README.md b/bash/README.md
index e211ce9..8b598a3 100644
--- a/bash/README.md
+++ b/bash/README.md
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ command argument:
 
 | Command | What it does |
 |---|---|
+| `zsetup <p>` | create the project's python venv + install deps (or `npm install`) |
 | `zstart <p> [--detached]` | start local dev server (python/vite/nextjs) |
 | `zkill <p>` | free the project's dev port |
 | `zrestart <p> [--detached]` | kill + start in one command |
diff --git a/bash/zconfig.example.json b/bash/zconfig.example.json
index dcc28da..6d054e0 100644
--- a/bash/zconfig.example.json
+++ b/bash/zconfig.example.json
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
       "localRoot":   "/home/youruser/code/pyapp",
       "startModule": "pyapp.main",
       "_startApp_note": "ASGI/FastAPI app? Use \"startApp\": \"app.main:app\" instead of startModule (runs uvicorn --port <dev> --reload).",
+      "install":     "-e .",
       "ports":       { "dev": 8080 },
       "domain":      "pyapp.yourdomain.com",
       "start": {
diff --git a/bash/zsetup b/bash/zsetup
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..56c7f3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bash/zsetup
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Evomedia.net Token Savers — https://github.com/kellymichels/zscripts-token-savers
+# Created by Kelly Michels · dev@evomedia.net
+# Licensed under the MIT License. See LICENSE.
+#
+# zsetup — prepare a project for local dev: create its Python venv and install
+# dependencies (python kind), or run `npm install` (vite/nextjs). Idempotent -
+# safe to re-run to refresh deps. `zstart` only warns when a venv is missing;
+# this is the command that creates it.
+#
+# Usage:
+#   zsetup <project> [<project> ...]
+#   zsetup <project> --force            # recreate the python venv from scratch
+#
+# Python install command (first match wins):
+#   1. the project's "install" config field (e.g. "-e backend", "-r reqs.txt")
+#   2. auto: pyproject.toml / setup.py -> "-e ."   |   requirements.txt -> "-r requirements.txt"
+
+set -uo pipefail
+source "$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)/zhelpers.sh"
+z_track_start "$@"
+z_need_config
+
+projects=(); force=0
+while [ $# -gt 0 ]; do
+  case "$1" in
+    --force) force=1; shift ;;
+    -*)      err "Unknown option: $1"; exit 1 ;;
+    *)       projects+=("$1"); shift ;;
+  esac
+done
+
+if [ "${#projects[@]}" -eq 0 ]; then
+  printf '\n'; warn "Usage: zsetup <project> [<project> ...] [--force]"
+  dim "  Projects in zconfig.json: $(zproj_csv)"
+  dim "  Creates the python venv + installs deps (or runs npm install for vite/nextjs)."
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+# pip install args for a python project (one per line): config .install, else
+# auto-detect a root pyproject.toml/setup.py or requirements.txt. Empty = unknown.
+py_install_args() {  # <key> <root>
+  local key="$1" root="$2" cfg
+  cfg="$(zproj "$key" .install)"
+  if [ -n "$cfg" ]; then printf '%s\n' $cfg; return 0; fi
+  if [ -f "$root/pyproject.toml" ] || [ -f "$root/setup.py" ]; then printf '%s\n' -e .; return 0; fi
+  if [ -f "$root/requirements.txt" ]; then printf '%s\n' -r requirements.txt; return 0; fi
+  return 0
+}
+
+setup_python() {  # <key> <root>
+  local key="$1" root="$2" venv="$2/.venv" args=() a
+  z_require python3
+  while IFS= read -r a; do [ -n "$a" ] && args+=("$a"); done < <(py_install_args "$key" "$root")
+  if [ "${#args[@]}" -eq 0 ]; then
+    err "  Can't determine dependencies for '$key' (no pyproject.toml/setup.py/requirements.txt at $root)."
+    dim "  Add an \"install\" field to the project, e.g.  \"install\": \"-e backend\"  or  \"-r requirements.txt\"."
+    return 1
+  fi
+  if [ "$force" -eq 1 ] && [ -d "$venv" ]; then dim "  Removing existing venv (--force)..."; rm -rf "$venv"; fi
+  if [ ! -x "$venv/bin/python" ]; then
+    info "  Creating venv: $venv"
+    python3 -m venv "$venv" || { err "  venv creation failed"; return 1; }
+  else
+    dim "  venv exists: $venv (installing/updating deps)"
+  fi
+  info "  pip install ${args[*]}"
+  ( cd "$root" && "$venv/bin/pip" install "${args[@]}" ) || { err "  pip install failed"; return 1; }
+  ok "  $key ready - zstart $key will use $venv/bin/python."
+}
+
+setup_node() {  # <key> <root>
+  local key="$1" root="$2"
+  [ -f "$root/package.json" ] || { err "  No package.json in $root"; return 1; }
+  z_require npm
+  info "  npm install (in $root)..."
+  ( cd "$root" && npm install ) || { err "  npm install failed"; return 1; }
+  ok "  $key node_modules ready."
+}
+
+rc=0
+for key in "${projects[@]}"; do
+  zproj_require "$key"
+  kind="$(zproj "$key" .kind)"
+  root="$(zproj_root "$key")"
+  printf '\n'; info "=== zsetup ($(zproj "$key" .label)) ==="
+  [ -d "$root" ] || { err "  Project root not found: $root"; rc=1; continue; }
+  case "$kind" in
+    python)      setup_python "$key" "$root" || rc=1 ;;
+    vite|nextjs) setup_node   "$key" "$root" || rc=1 ;;
+    *)           dim "  kind '$kind' - nothing to set up locally." ;;
+  esac
+done
+printf '\n'
+exit "$rc"
diff --git a/zconfig.example.json b/zconfig.example.json
index d8f090d..682dda9 100644
--- a/zconfig.example.json
+++ b/zconfig.example.json
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
       "localRoot":   "C:\\YourRoot\\pyapp",
       "startModule": "pyapp.main",
       "_startApp_note": "ASGI/FastAPI app? Use \"startApp\": \"app.main:app\" instead of startModule (runs uvicorn --port <dev> --reload).",
+      "install":     "-e .",
       "ports":       { "dev": 8080 },
       "domain":      "pyapp.yourdomain.com",
       "start": {
diff --git a/zsetup.cmd b/zsetup.cmd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4d645bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zsetup.cmd
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+REM Evomedia.net Token Savers — https://github.com/kellymichels/zscripts-token-savers
+REM Created by Kelly Michels · dev@evomedia.net
+REM Licensed under the MIT License. See LICENSE.
+
+@echo off
+powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "%~dp0zsetup.ps1" %*
diff --git a/zsetup.ps1 b/zsetup.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..84e95d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zsetup.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+# Evomedia.net Token Savers — https://github.com/kellymichels/zscripts-token-savers
+# Created by Kelly Michels · dev@evomedia.net
+# Licensed under the MIT License. See LICENSE.
+
+# zsetup.ps1 — prepare a project for local dev: create its Python venv and install
+# dependencies (python kind), or run `npm install` (vite/nextjs). Idempotent -
+# safe to re-run to refresh deps. `zstart` only warns when a venv is missing;
+# this is the command that creates it.
+#
+# Usage:
+#   zsetup <project> [<project> ...]
+#   zsetup <project> -Force             # recreate the python venv from scratch
+#
+# Python install command (first match wins):
+#   1. the project's "install" config field (e.g. "-e backend", "-r reqs.txt")
+#   2. auto: pyproject.toml / setup.py -> "-e ."   |   requirements.txt -> "-r requirements.txt"
+
+param(
+    [Parameter(Position = 0, ValueFromRemainingArguments = $true)]
+    [string[]]$Projects = @(),
+    [switch]$Force
+)
+
+$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"
+. (Join-Path $PSScriptRoot "ZHelpers.ps1")
+Start-ZTracking
+
+$Projects = @($Projects | ForEach-Object { $_.TrimStart('-') })
+
+if ($Projects.Count -eq 0) {
+    Write-Host ""
+    Write-Host "Usage: zsetup <project> [<project> ...] [-Force]" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+    Write-Host "  Projects in zconfig.json: $((Get-ZProjectKeys) -join ', ')" -ForegroundColor Gray
+    Write-Host "  Creates the python venv + installs deps (or runs npm install for vite/nextjs)." -ForegroundColor Gray
+    Stop-ZTracking; exit 1
+}
+
+# pip install args for a python project: config .install, else auto-detect a
+# root pyproject.toml/setup.py or requirements.txt. Empty array = unknown.
+function Get-PyInstallArgs {
+    param([string]$Root, $Proj)
+    if ($Proj.install) { return @([string]$Proj.install -split '\s+' | Where-Object { $_ -ne '' }) }
+    if ((Test-Path (Join-Path $Root "pyproject.toml")) -or (Test-Path (Join-Path $Root "setup.py"))) { return @("-e", ".") }
+    if (Test-Path (Join-Path $Root "requirements.txt")) { return @("-r", "requirements.txt") }
+    return @()
+}
+
+function Invoke-PythonSetup {
+    param([string]$Key, [string]$Root, $Proj)
+    $installArgs = Get-PyInstallArgs -Root $Root -Proj $Proj
+    if ($installArgs.Count -eq 0) {
+        Write-Host "  Can't determine dependencies for '$Key' (no pyproject.toml/setup.py/requirements.txt in $Root)." -ForegroundColor Red
+        Write-Host "  Add an `"install`" field to the project, e.g.  `"install`": `"-e backend`"  or  `"-r requirements.txt`"." -ForegroundColor DarkGray
+        return $false
+    }
+    $venv       = Join-Path $Root ".venv"
+    $venvPython = Join-Path $venv "Scripts\python.exe"
+    if ($Force -and (Test-Path -LiteralPath $venv)) {
+        Write-Host "  Removing existing venv (-Force)..." -ForegroundColor DarkGray
+        Remove-Item -LiteralPath $venv -Recurse -Force
+    }
+    if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $venvPython)) {
+        Write-Host "  Creating venv: $venv" -ForegroundColor Cyan
+        & python -m venv $venv
+        if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { Write-Host "  venv creation failed" -ForegroundColor Red; return $false }
+    } else {
+        Write-Host "  venv exists: $venv (installing/updating deps)" -ForegroundColor DarkGray
+    }
+    $pip = Join-Path $venv "Scripts\pip.exe"
+    Write-Host "  pip install $($installArgs -join ' ')" -ForegroundColor Cyan
+    Push-Location -LiteralPath $Root
+    try { & $pip install @installArgs; $ok = ($LASTEXITCODE -eq 0) } finally { Pop-Location }
+    if (-not $ok) { Write-Host "  pip install failed" -ForegroundColor Red; return $false }
+    Write-Host "  $Key ready - zstart $Key will use $venvPython." -ForegroundColor Green
+    return $true
+}
+
+function Invoke-NodeSetup {
+    param([string]$Key, [string]$Root)
+    if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath (Join-Path $Root "package.json"))) {
+        Write-Host "  No package.json in $Root" -ForegroundColor Red; return $false
+    }
+    Write-Host "  npm install (in $Root)..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
+    Push-Location -LiteralPath $Root
+    try { & npm install; $ok = ($LASTEXITCODE -eq 0) } finally { Pop-Location }
+    if (-not $ok) { Write-Host "  npm install failed" -ForegroundColor Red; return $false }
+    Write-Host "  $Key node_modules ready." -ForegroundColor Green
+    return $true
+}
+
+$exitCode = 0
+foreach ($key in $Projects) {
+    $proj = Get-ZProject -Key $key
+    $root = $proj.localRoot
+    Write-Host ""
+    Write-Host "=== zsetup ($($proj.label)) ===" -ForegroundColor Cyan
+    if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $root)) { Write-Host "  Project root not found: $root" -ForegroundColor Red; $exitCode = 1; continue }
+    switch ([string]$proj.kind) {
+        "python" { if (-not (Invoke-PythonSetup -Key $key -Root $root -Proj $proj)) { $exitCode = 1 } }
+        "vite"   { if (-not (Invoke-NodeSetup   -Key $key -Root $root)) { $exitCode = 1 } }
+        "nextjs" { if (-not (Invoke-NodeSetup   -Key $key -Root $root)) { $exitCode = 1 } }
+        default  { Write-Host "  kind '$($proj.kind)' - nothing to set up locally." -ForegroundColor DarkGray }
+    }
+}
+Write-Host ""
+Stop-ZTracking; exit $exitCode