Install the tools on your computer (VS Code, Git, Node.js, Python, Java)

What you need

To build and deploy your own app you need an editor, Git, and the language your app is written in. Download each one from its official website only.

• Visual Studio Code (the editor) — code.visualstudio.com
• Git — git-scm.com (Mac: it is offered automatically the first time you type git in Terminal)
• Node.js (for Node.js, Next.js, NestJS, React) — nodejs.org, the LTS version
• Python (for Django, Flask, FastAPI) — python.org; on Windows tick Add python.exe to PATH in the installer
• Java (for Spring Boot) — a JDK 17 or 21, for example Eclipse Temurin from adoptium.net
• PHP and Composer (for Laravel) — php.net and getcomposer.org

Open a terminal on your computer

• Windows: Start menu → type PowerShell → open it
• Mac: Spotlight (⌘+Space) → type Terminal
• Inside VS Code on any system: menu Terminal → New Terminal

Check everything is installed

Type each line and press Enter. Each should print a version number. If one says "not recognised" or "command not found", reinstall it and open a new terminal window.

git --version
node -v
npm -v
python3 --version     # Windows: python --version
java -version
code --version

Tell Git who you are (once)

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