PromptCodeAI
Getting Started
15 minutes
linux
macos
windows

Verify Your Setup

Test that all your tools work together and troubleshoot any remaining issues.

What you'll accomplish

Confirm all tools are working and create your first AI-assisted project.

Prerequisites

  • Completed all previous Getting Started lessons
  • All tools installed (Git, Node.js, IDE, Claude Code)

Final Checklist

Before moving on to actual coding, let's verify everything is working. Run through this checklist:

Quick Version Check

Open your terminal and run these commands:

bash
git --version
node --version
npm --version
claude --version

All four should show version numbers without errors.

IDE Check

bash
code --version   # If you installed VS Code
cursor --version # If you installed Cursor

At least one should work.

Docker Check (Optional)

If you installed Docker:

bash
docker --version
docker run hello-world
Note

Remember: Docker is optional. If you skipped it, that's fine!

Create a Real Project

Let's create an actual project using all the tools together.

Step 1: Create and Navigate to a Project Folder

Step 2: Initialize Git

bash
git init

You should see: Initialized empty Git repository in /path/to/my-first-project/.git/

Step 3: Open in Your IDE

bash
code .   # or: cursor .

Your IDE should open with an empty project.

Step 4: Create a Project with Claude Code

In your terminal (not in the IDE), start Claude Code:

bash
claude

Then type:

Create a simple Node.js project with:
- A package.json file
- A main.js file that prints "Hello, I built this with AI!"
- A README.md explaining what this project is

Claude Code will:

  1. Plan what to create
  2. Ask for permission to create each file
  3. Create the files

Approve each request (type y).

Step 5: Verify the Files

After Claude finishes, check what was created:

bash
ls -la

You should see:

  • package.json
  • main.js (or index.js)
  • README.md

Step 6: Run Your Code

bash
node main.js

You should see: Hello, I built this with AI! (or similar)

Step 7: Make Your First Commit

bash
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit: My first AI-assisted project"

Congratulations! You just:

  • Created a project folder
  • Initialized Git
  • Used Claude Code to generate code
  • Ran the code with Node.js
  • Committed your changes with Git

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If something didn't work, find your issue below:

Frequently Asked Questions

Git isn't installed or not in your PATH.

Solution: Revisit lesson 2 (Installing Git) and follow the installation steps for your operating system.

Node.js isn't installed or nvm isn't loaded.

Solution:

  1. If using nvm on macOS/Linux: nvm use --lts
  2. If using nvm on Windows (nvm-windows): nvm use lts
  3. If that doesn't work: Revisit lesson 3 and reinstall Node.js
  4. Make sure you opened a NEW terminal after installation

Claude Code isn't installed globally.

Solution:

bash
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Then open a new terminal window.

The IDE command isn't in your PATH.

Solution:

  1. Open VS Code/Cursor manually
  2. Press Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + P
  3. Type "shell command"
  4. Select "Install 'code'/'cursor' command in PATH"
  5. Open a new terminal

Your API key isn't set up correctly.

Solution:

  1. Go to console.anthropic.com
  2. Create a new API key
  3. Run claude and paste the key when prompted

Git doesn't know who you are.

Solution:

bash
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

No problem! Delete the test folder and try again:

Then start from Step 1 again.

What You've Accomplished

Take a moment to appreciate what you've set up:

ToolWhat it does for you
TerminalRun commands, navigate your computer
GitTrack changes, undo mistakes, share code
Node.jsRun JavaScript, install packages
npmManage project dependencies
VS Code / CursorEdit code with helpful features
Claude CodeAI assistant for writing code
Docker (optional)Isolated development environments

This is a professional development setup. You have the same tools used by developers at top tech companies.

Environment Summary

Create a reference of your setup. Run these commands and save the output:

bash
echo "=== Development Environment ==="
echo "Git: $(git --version)"
echo "Node: $(node --version)"
echo "npm: $(npm --version)"
echo "Claude Code: $(claude --version)"
code --version 2>/dev/null && echo "VS Code: installed" || echo "VS Code: not found"
cursor --version 2>/dev/null && echo "Cursor: installed" || echo "Cursor: not found"
docker --version 2>/dev/null && echo "Docker: installed" || echo "Docker: not installed (optional)"

This is helpful when asking for help online - you can share your exact versions.

What's Next?

Your setup is complete! Now it's time to actually build things.

Choose Your Path

If you're brand new to coding: → Start with the Vibecoding Track

  • Learn AI-assisted development from the ground up
  • Build real projects without prior coding experience
  • Understand code through doing, not memorizing

If you already know some programming: → Jump to the Engineer Track

  • Deep dive into Claude Code configuration
  • Docker workflows and isolation
  • Professional development practices

Want to build mobile apps? → Check out the Capacitor Track

  • Turn web apps into native iOS/Android apps
  • Access device features (camera, GPS, notifications)
  • Deploy to app stores

Want to build games? → Explore the Phaser Track

  • Create 2D browser games
  • Learn game loops, sprites, and physics
  • Build platformers, puzzles, and more

Want to launch a SaaS product fast? → If your goal is a working product (not learning infrastructure), consider starting with a backend platform like StackForDevs. You'll skip weeks of auth/billing setup and focus on your unique features. You can always learn infrastructure later—or check out our SaaS Starter template when you're ready to build your own backend.

Final Tips

The best way to learn is to build things you actually want.

Don't just follow tutorials - think of a project YOU care about:

  • A personal website
  • A tool that solves a problem you have
  • A game you'd enjoy playing

When you're motivated by the outcome, learning happens naturally.

Your development environment will need occasional updates:

Update Claude Code:

bash
npm update -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Update Node.js (with nvm):

macOS/Linux:

bash
nvm install --lts
nvm use --lts

Windows (nvm-windows uses different syntax):

powershell
nvm install lts
nvm use lts

Update Docker Desktop: Open Docker Desktop → Settings → Software Updates

Update your IDE: VS Code/Cursor update automatically, but you can check manually in the application.

Run updates every few weeks to get bug fixes and new features.

Track Complete!

You've completed the Getting Started track if you can:

0/6

Congratulations! You're ready to start building with AI. Choose a track above and start creating!