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exp init: UX updates #3430

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75 changes: 39 additions & 36 deletions content/docs/command-reference/exp/init.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
# exp init

Quickly setup any project to use [DVC Experiments].
Quickly create or prepare any project to use [DVC Experiments].

> Requires a <abbr>DVC repository</abbr>, created with `git init` and
> `dvc init`.
Expand All @@ -18,38 +18,46 @@ usage: dvc exp init [-h] [-q | -v] [--run] [--interactive] [-f]

## Description

`dvc exp init` helps you get started with DVC Experiments quickly. It reduces
boilerplate DVC procedures by creating a `dvc.yaml` file that assumes standard
locations of your input data, <abbr>parameters</abbr>, source code, models,
<abbr>metrics</abbr> and [plots](/doc/command-reference/plots). These locations
can be customized through the [options](#options) below or via
[configuration](/doc/command-reference/config#exp).
This command helps you get started with DVC Experiments quickly. It reduces
repetitive DVC procedures by creating a necessary `dvc.yaml` file, which assumes
standard locations of your inputs (data, <abbr>parameters</abbr>, and source
code) and outputs (models, <abbr>metrics</abbr>, and
[plots](/doc/command-reference/plots)).

Repository structure assumed by default:
These locations can be customized through the [command options](#options) or via
[configuration](/doc/command-reference/config#exp). Default project structure:

```
├── data/
├── metrics.json
├── models/
├── params.yaml # required
├── params.yaml
├── plots/
└── src/
```

> Note that `dvc exp init` expects at least a `params.yaml` file present. DVC
> reads it to find parameters to include in the [stage definition]. It can
> however be omitted when using the `--explicit` and/or `-i` flags.

You must always provide a command that runs your experiment(s). It can be given
either directly [as an argument](#the-command-argument), or by using the
`--interactive` (`-i`) mode which will prompt you for it. This command will be
The only required argument is the terminal command that runs your experiment(s).
It can be provided directly [as an argument](#the-command-argument) or by using
the `--interactive` (`-i`) mode (which will prompt for it). The command will be
wrapped as a <abbr>stage</abbr> that `dvc exp run` can execute.

Different types of stages are supported, such as `dl` (deep learning) which uses
<admon type="tip">

A special deep learning `--type` of stage is supported (`dl`), which uses
[DVCLive](/doc/dvclive) to monitor [checkpoints] during training of ML models.
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> `dvc exp init` is intended as a quick way to start running [DVC Experiments].
> See the `dvc.yaml` specification for complex data pipelines.
</admon>

`dvc exp init` also generates the boilerplate project structure, including input
files/directories and directories needed for future outputs, or any locations
determined in interactive mode.

<admon type="info">

`dvc exp init` is intended as a quick way to start running [DVC Experiments].
See the `dvc.yaml` specification for more complex data pipelines.

</admon>

[stage definition]:
/doc/user-guide/project-structure/pipelines-files#stage-entries
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -107,9 +115,6 @@ $ dvc exp init './another_script.sh $MYENVVAR'
</abbr>parameters</abbr> that your experiment depends on can be found.
Overrides other configuration and default value (`params.yaml`).

> Note that `dvc exp init` will fail if the params file does not exist. This
> is because DVC reads it to find params to include in the [stage definition].

- `--data` - set the path to the data file or directory that your experiment
depends on can be found (if any). Overrides other configuration and default
value (`data/`).
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -153,26 +158,24 @@ The easiest route is using interactive mode and answering a few questions:

```dvc
$ dvc exp init --interactive
This command will guide you to set up a train stage in dvc.yaml...

Command to execute: python src/train.py

Enter the paths for dependencies and outputs of the command.
DVC assumes the following workspace structure:
├── data
├── metrics.json
├── models
├── params.yaml
├── plots
└── src

Enter experiment dependencies.
Path to a code file/directory [src, n to omit]: src/train.py
Path to a data file/directory [data, n to omit]: data/features
Path to a model file/directory [models, n to omit]: models/predict.h5
Path to a parameters file [params.yaml, n to omit]:

Enter experiment outputs.
Path to a model file/directory [models, n to omit]: models/predict.h5
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This could be in a separate PR, but we should probably use predict.h5 or model.h5 instead of models/predict.h5 until iterative/dvc#5802 is resolved.

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Not sure. a) it's a bug I think (shouldn't doc based on that) and b) the output of exp init does say

Ensure your experiment command creates ... models/predict.h5.

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Sorry, I should have clarified. This is what happens now:

$ dvc exp init -i
Command to execute: python src/train.py

Enter experiment dependencies.
Path to a code file/directory [src, n to omit]: src/train.py
'src/train.py' does not exist, the file will be created.
Path to a data file/directory [data, n to omit]: data/features
'data/features' does not exist, the directory will be created.
Path to a parameters file [params.yaml, n to omit]:
'params.yaml' does not exist, the file will be created.

Enter experiment outputs.
Path to a model file/directory [models, n to omit]: models/predict.h5
Path to a metrics file [metrics.json, n to omit]:
Path to a plots file/directory [plots, n to omit]: n

ERROR: unexpected error - [Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/private/tmp/tmprepo/models/.gitignore'

Having any troubles? Hit us up at https://dvc.org/support, we are always happy to help!

it's a bug I think

Yeah, we need to prioritize fixing this in DVC.

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K. Marking this PR with wait status. Please lmk when to follow up if possible!

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@jorgeorpinel This is finally ready following iterative/dvc#7752.

Path to a metrics file [metrics.json, n to omit]:
Path to a plots file/directory [plots, n to omit]: n
...

Creating dependencies: src/train.py and params.yaml
Creating output directories: models
Creating train stage in dvc.yaml

Ensure your experiment command creates metrics.json and models/predict.h5.
You can now run your experiment using "dvc exp run".
```

In this example the code, data, and model locations were specified above to
Expand All @@ -190,7 +193,7 @@ train:
- data/features
- src/train.py
params:
- epochs
- params.yaml:
outs:
- models/predict.h5
metrics:
Expand Down