Start Here

Get your machine ready.

Before you write a single line of code, your environment needs to be right. Follow every step in order — this is the foundation everything else runs on.

Start the setupJump to checklist

Before you start

Two things to finish before you even open Terminal.

Do these first. They remove the most common setup blockers before the technical work begins.

GitHub account

Required

You need GitHub to store, back up, and share your code. Use a professional username because you will share it with collaborators and mentors.

github.com/signup ↗

AI coding tool — pick one

Choose one

Choose the environment you want to build in. You do not need both. Pick the one that matches how you like to work.

Claude Code

Visit ↗

Works directly in Terminal alongside your code. Best if you like staying close to the command line. Requires a Claude Pro subscription.

Windsurf

Visit ↗

A full code editor with AI built in. Best if you want a visual environment with the assistant in the sidebar. Requires a Windsurf Pro subscription.

Pick one. You do not need both.

Steps 01–06

Set up the core environment in the right order.

Don’t skip ahead. Each step removes friction for the next one. When this sequence is complete, your machine is ready to build.

01

Install Homebrew

Homebrew is the package manager that makes the rest of the setup fast and reliable. Install it first and verify it responds in Terminal.

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"brew --version
✓

Done when: Terminal prints a Homebrew version number.

02

Install developer essentials

Install Node.js and the GitHub CLI. Node runs your Next.js app. The GitHub CLI makes authentication and repo creation much smoother.

brew install node ghnode -vgh --version
✓

Done when: Both `node` and `gh` respond with a version.

03

Connect GitHub in Terminal

Authenticate once so your machine can talk to GitHub from the command line. This is what lets you create repos and push code cleanly.

gh auth logingh auth status
✓

Done when: GitHub CLI confirms you are logged in.

04

Create your Next.js project

Generate a clean Next.js app with TypeScript and Tailwind. This gives you a modern starting point that is ready for AI-assisted development.

npx create-next-app@latest my-appcd my-appnpm run dev
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Done when: The development server starts without errors.

05

Create the GitHub repo and push your code

Put the project online immediately. Your repo is your source of truth, your backup, and the place where mentors can review what you build.

git initgit add .git commit -m "Initial commit"gh repo create my-app --public --source=. --remote=origin --push
✓

Done when: Your project is visible on GitHub with the first commit pushed.

06

Verify the app runs locally

Open the app in your browser and make sure the local environment is stable before you start building anything with AI.

npm run devopen http://localhost:3000
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Done when: You see the starter Next.js app at `localhost:3000`.

Install your AI tool

Make sure your assistant works before the cohort starts.

Your coding assistant is part of your workflow, not an optional extra. Test it now so you do not lose momentum later.

If you chose Claude Code

Install it from Terminal, make sure the binary is available in your shell, and test the command before moving on.

  • •Install Claude Code using the official method from your Claude account or onboarding instructions.
  • •If the command is not found, fix your PATH before doing anything else.
  • •Run `claude` in Terminal and confirm the interface opens correctly.
Done when: The `claude` command opens successfully from Terminal.

If you chose Windsurf

Install the editor, sign in, and open the exact project folder you created so the assistant can work directly inside your codebase.

  • •Install Windsurf with Homebrew or download it from the official site.
  • •Open Windsurf from Applications and sign in to your account.
  • •Open your project folder and verify the AI responds in the sidebar.
brew install --cask windsurf
Done when: Windsurf opens your project and the AI responds in the sidebar.

You’re ready

Your environment is set up. Your repo is live. Your app runs locally.

That is the baseline. From here, we move into the real development workflow: how to build, commit, debug, and use AI without creating chaos.

Next guide coming soon →For now, keep this page bookmarked and make sure every item below is done.

Checklist

Use this as your final pre-cohort check.

✓

GitHub account created and email verified

✓

AI tool chosen and subscribed

✓

Homebrew installed

✓

Node and GitHub CLI installed

✓

GitHub connected in Terminal

✓

Next.js project created

✓

Repository live on GitHub

✓

App loads at localhost:3000

✓

AI tool installed and working