[Docs] Recommend venv instead of conda (#837)

Author: oulgen

README.md

@@ -303,24 +303,29 @@ Helion currently targets Linux systems and requires a recent Python and PyTorch
 
 ## Installation
 
-We recommend using a [conda] environment to manage dependencies. First,
+We recommend using [uv] to manage an isolated virtual environment. First,
 install compatible versions of [PyTorch] and [Triton].
 
-[conda]: https://www.anaconda.com/docs/getting-started/miniconda/install
+[uv]: https://docs.astral.sh/uv/
 
 Once your environment is set up, you can install Helion directly from GitHub:
 
 ```bash
 pip install git+https://github.com/pytorch/helion.git
 ```
 
-Alternatively, you may install from source for development purposes:
+Alternatively, you may install from source for development purposes. If using `uv`, create and activate a virtual environment first:
 ```bash
 git clone https://github.com/pytorch/helion.git
 cd helion
+
+# Create and activate a virtual environment with uv (one-time)
+uv venv .venv
+source .venv/bin/activate
+
 # To install in editable w/ required dev packages
 pip install -e .'[dev]'
-````
+```
 This installs Helion in "editable" mode so that changes to the source
 code take effect without needing to reinstall.
 

docs/installation.md

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ Helion currently targets Linux systems and requires a recent Python and PyTorch
 
 ### Python Environment
 - **Python 3.10, 3.11, or 3.12**
-- We recommend using [conda](https://www.anaconda.com/docs/getting-started/miniconda/install) for environment management
+- We recommend using [uv](https://docs.astral.sh/uv/) for lightweight, fast virtual environments
 
 ### Dependencies
 - **[PyTorch](https://github.com/pytorch/pytorch) nightly build**
@@ -47,14 +47,16 @@ This installs Helion in "editable" mode so that changes to the source code take
 
 ## Step-by-Step Setup Guide
 
-### 1. Set Up Conda Environment
+### 1. Create and Activate a uv Virtual Environment
 
-We recommend using conda to manage dependencies:
+We recommend using uv to manage dependencies:
 
 ```bash
-# Create a new environment
-conda create -n helion python=3.12
-conda activate helion
+# Create a new virtual environment in .venv (one-time)
+uv venv .venv
+
+# Activate the environment
+source .venv/bin/activate
 ```
 
 ### 2. Install PyTorch Nightly