Nfiann-prerelease

website/docs/docs/core/pip-install.md

@@ -154,3 +154,105 @@ python -m pip install \
 ```
 
 Or, better yet, just install the package(s) you need!
+
+<VersionBlock firstVersion="1.8">
+
+### Installing prereleases
+
+A prerelease adapter is a version released before the final, stable version. It allows users to test new features, provide feedback, and get early access to upcoming functionality &mdash; ensuring your system will be ready for the final release.
+
+Using a prerelease of an adapter has many benefits such as granting you early access to new features and improvements ahead of the stable release. As well as compatibility testing, allowing you to test the adapter in your environment to catch integration issues early, ensuring your system will be ready for the final release. 
+
+Note that using a prerelease version before the final, stable version means the version isn't fully optimized and can result in unexpected behavior. Additionally, frequent updates and patches during the prerelease phase may require extra time and effort to maintain. Furthermore, the `--pre flag` may install compatible prerelease versions of other dependencies, which could introduce additional instability.
+
+To install prerelease versions of dbt Core and your adapter, use this command (replace `dbt-adapter-name` with your adapter)
+
+```shell
+python3 -m pip install --pre dbt-core dbt-adapter-name
+````
+
+For example, if you’re using Snowflake, you would use the command:
+
+
+```shell
+python3 -m pip install --pre dbt-core dbt-snowflake
+
+We recommend you install prereleases in a [virtual Python environment](https://packaging.python.org/en/latest/guides/installing-using-pip-and-virtual-environments/). For example, to install a prerelease in a `POSIX bash`/`zsh` virtual Python environment, use the following commands:
+
+```shell
+dbt --version
+python3 -m venv .venv
+source .venv/bin/activate
+python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip
+python3 -m pip install --pre dbt-core dbt-adapter-name
+source .venv/bin/activate
+dbt --version
+```
+Note, this will also install any pre-releases of all dependencies.
+
+#### Activate your virtual environment 
+
+To install or use packages within your virtual environment:
+
+- Activate the virtual environment to add its specific Python and `pip` executables to your shell’s PATH. This ensures you use the environment’s isolated setup. 
+
+For more information, refer to [Create and use virtual environments](https://packaging.python.org/en/latest/guides/installing-using-pip-and-virtual-environments/#create-and-use-virtual-environments).
+
+Select your operating system and run the following command to activate it:
+
+<Expandable alt_header="Unix/macOS" >
+
+1. Activate your virtual environment: 
+
+```shell
+source .venv/bin/activate
+which python
+.venv/bin/python
+
+  ```
+  2. Install the prerelease using the following command:
+
+
+```shell
+python3 -m pip install --pre dbt-core dbt-adapter-name
+source .venv/bin/activate
+dbt --version
+```
+
+</Expandable>
+
+<Expandable alt_header="Windows" >
+
+1. Activate your virtual environment: 
+
+```shell
+.venv\Scripts\activate
+where python
+.venv\Scripts\python
+  ```
+2. Install the prerelease using the following command:
+
+```shell
+py -m pip install --pre dbt-core dbt-adapter-name
+.venv\Scripts\activate
+dbt --version
+```
+
+</Expandable>
+
+
+</VersionBlock>
+
+<VersionBlock lastVersion="1.7">
+
+### Installing prereleases
+
+`dbt-adapters` is only compatible with dbt Core 1.8 and higher. If you're on dbt Core v1.7 or lower, follow these steps to upgrade to v1.8 or higher to install prereleases of `dbt-adapters`.
+
+```shell
+python -m pip uninstall -y dbt-adapters
+python -m pip install --upgrade --pre dbt-core dbt-common dbt-adapters
+dbt --version
+```
+
+</VersionBlock>