qdk-programming

Development

QDK programming guide for Q#, OpenQASM, and the qsharp/qdk Python API. Use when: writing or editing Q# or OpenQASM code, running quantum programs, resource estimation, circuit generation, noisy simulation, Azure Quantum submission, Qiskit/Cirq/PennyLane interop, or Q# testing and standard library usage.

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QDK Programming

Quantum programming with the Microsoft Quantum Development Kit (QDK).

Two Modes

Most QDK features work in two modes:

Tool mode — use provided tools to work with standalone .qs / .qasm files directly. No Python required.
Python mode — the user writes Python scripts or Jupyter notebooks, using the qsharp/qdk Python packages as a driver for Q#/OpenQASM programs.

Default to tool mode unless the user is already working in Python or the feature is Python-only.

Reference Files

File	Content
qsharp.md	Q# language syntax, types, quantum operations, standard library, project structure
openqasm.md	OpenQASM 2.0/3.0 syntax, standard gates, version differences
python.md	`qsharp`/`qdk` Python API for execution, estimation, circuits, noise, Azure, Qiskit/Cirq, setup

Features

Feature	Tool mode	Python mode
Writing Q# code	Read qsharp.md	Read qsharp.md
Writing OpenQASM code	Read openqasm.md	Read openqasm.md
Running a program	`qdkRunProgram`	python.md — Running Q# Code
Resource estimation	`qdkRunResourceEstimator`	python.md — Resource Estimation
Circuit diagrams	`qdkGenerateCircuit`	python.md — Circuit Generation
Azure Quantum	Use the `azureQuantum*` tools	python.md — Azure Quantum
Noisy simulation	— (Python only)	python.md — Noisy Simulation
Q#/OpenQASM in Python and/or Jupyter	— (inherently Python)	python.md
Qiskit / Cirq / PennyLane interop	— (inherently Python)	python.md — Framework Interop

Quantum Katas

Quantum Katas are a collection of self-paced tutorials built into the QDK that teach quantum computing from the ground up. If the user wants to learn through the Quantum Katas, encourage them to use the /qdk-learning prompt to chat with the QDK Learning agent, which provides a guided, chat-embedded experience.

Deprecations

The QDK was rewritten in 2024. It no longer uses the IQ# Jupyter kernel or dotnet CLI tools.