Today I cloned a project from Github and needed to setup a project in PyCharm for it. These are some quick notes how to setup a new project in PyCharm based on an existing virutalenv.

1. Clone the project with: git clone <URI>.
2. Open PyCharm.
3. Create a new project: File -> New project…
4. Select project type: python
5. Click create.
6. Select the root directory of the virtualenv.
7. Select local type by clicking the button behind the source field.
8. From the Scripts directory of the virtualenv select python.exe.
9. Clicke create.
10. PyCharm will display a message that the directory is not empty (“The directory <…> is not empty. Would you like to create a project from the existing source instead?”).
11. Click Yes.
12. Select File -> Settings…
13. Select Project […] -> Project Structure.
14. Delete current source directory.
15. Add the source directory in the virtualenv.
16. Click OK.

You’re ready to rock. Have fun!