# Environment Installation

## Windows Installation

Choose your setup method.

:::tabs
@tab Native Windows (Recommended)

Git Bash + Claude Code — simplest setup, desktop apps just work.

### 01 Install Git for Windows

Download from [git-scm.com/downloads/win](https://git-scm.com/downloads/win). During installation, keep all defaults (this includes Git Bash).

### 02 Install Claude Code

Open **PowerShell** and run:

Before running install scripts from the internet, [read this security guide](security.html).

```
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
```

\* If you see "not recognized" or PATH issues, close and reopen PowerShell.

### 03 Install VS Code

Download **Visual Studio Code** from code.visualstudio.com. Install the **Live Share** extension.

### 04 Verify Setup

Open **Git Bash** (search "Git Bash" in Start menu) and run:

```
claude
```

\* This launches Claude Code. You'll authenticate on first use.

@tab WSL (Advanced)

Full Linux environment inside Windows — for advanced users or Linux-specific tooling.

Desktop app kits (voice-to-text, GUI apps) will need extra steps on WSL. If you're unsure, choose **Native Windows** above.

### 01 Install WSL2

Open **PowerShell as Administrator** (right-click PowerShell in Start menu → "Run as administrator") and run:

```
wsl --install -d Ubuntu
```

\* Reboot when prompted. After reboot, "Ubuntu" will open automatically and ask you to create a username and password.

### 02 Update Ubuntu

You should now see the **Ubuntu terminal** (green text on black background). Run:

```
sudo apt update && sudo apt -y upgrade
```

\* Enter the password you just created. You won't see characters as you type - this is normal.

### 03 Install Development Tools

Still in your **Ubuntu terminal**, install Git and build tools:

```
sudo apt -y install git curl build-essential
```

### 04 Install Claude Code

Install the Claude Code CLI directly (no Node.js required):

Before running install scripts from the internet, [read this security guide](security.html).

```
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
```

\* Close and reopen Ubuntu after installation to reload your shell.

### 05 Install VS Code

- Download **Visual Studio Code** (Windows version) from code.visualstudio.com. During installation, ensure "Add to PATH" is checked. Then install these extensions:
- **WSL** - by Microsoft
- **Live Share** - by Microsoft

### 06 Verify Setup

In your **Ubuntu terminal**, create a test project and open it in VS Code:

```
mkdir -p ~/projects/test && cd ~/projects/test
```

```
code .
```

```
claude 
```

\* First run installs VS Code Server in WSL. You should see "WSL: Ubuntu" in the bottom-left corner of VS Code.

\* Confirms Claude Code is installed. You'll authenticate on first use.

:::

## Windows Session Protocol

Repeat these steps at the start of every mentoring session.

### If you installed natively (Git Bash)

### 01 Open Git Bash

Open **Git Bash** from the Windows Start menu (search "Git Bash").

### 02 Navigate to Project

Change to your project directory:

```
cd ~/projects/your-project-name
```

### 03 Launch VS Code

Open VS Code from the terminal:

```
code .
```

### 04 Start Live Share

In VS Code, click **Live Share** in the bottom status bar, then click **Start Collaboration Session**. Copy the link and send it to your mentor.

### 05 Grant Terminal Access

In VS Code, open a terminal with **Ctrl+\`** (backtick). Right-click the terminal tab and select **Make Read/Write** so your mentor can run commands.

### If you installed with WSL

### 01 Open Ubuntu

Open **Ubuntu** from the Windows Start menu. You should see your Ubuntu terminal.

### 02 Navigate to Project

Change to your project directory:

```
cd ~/projects/your-project-name
```

### 03 Launch VS Code

Open VS Code connected to WSL:

```
code .
```

\* VS Code should show "WSL: Ubuntu" in the bottom-left corner.

### 04 Start Live Share

In VS Code, click **Live Share** in the bottom status bar, then click **Start Collaboration Session**. Copy the link and send it to your mentor.

### 05 Grant Terminal Access

In VS Code, open a terminal with **Ctrl+\`** (backtick). Right-click the terminal tab and select **Make Read/Write** so your mentor can run commands.

## Mac Installation

Homebrew + Claude Code

### 01 Install Homebrew

Homebrew is the package manager for macOS:

Before running install scripts from the internet, [read this security guide](security.html).

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

\* Follow the "Next steps" shown after installation to add Homebrew to your PATH.

### 02 Install Claude Code

Install the Claude Code CLI directly (no Node.js required):

Before running install scripts from the internet, [read this security guide](security.html).

```
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
```

\* Close and reopen Terminal after installation.

### 03 Install VS Code

Download **Visual Studio Code** from code.visualstudio.com. Install the **Live Share** extension.

### 04 Verify Setup

```
claude
```

\* This launches Claude Code. You'll authenticate on first use.

## Mac Session Protocol

Repeat these steps at the start of every mentoring session.

### 01 Open Terminal

Open **Terminal** from Applications → Utilities, or press **Cmd+Space** and type "Terminal".

### 02 Navigate to Project

Change to your project directory:

```
cd ~/projects/your-project-name
```

### 03 Launch VS Code

Open VS Code from the terminal:

```
code .
```

### 04 Start Live Share

In VS Code, click **Live Share** in the bottom status bar, then click **Start Collaboration Session**. Copy the link and send it to your mentor.

### 05 Grant Terminal Access

In VS Code, open a terminal with **Ctrl+\`** (backtick). Right-click the terminal tab and select **Make Read/Write** so your mentor can run commands.