Installing Dev Essentials
When you start coding, you’ll need some essential development tools installed on your computer. Cline can help you install everything you need in a safe, guided way.
🧰 The Essential Tools
Here are the core tools you’ll need for development:
- Node.js & npm: Required for JavaScript and web development
- Git: For tracking changes in your code and collaborating with others
- Package Managers: Tools that make it easy to install other development tools
- Homebrew for macOS
- Chocolatey for Windows
- apt/yum for Linux
💡 Tip: These tools are the foundation of your developer toolkit. Installing them properly will set you up for success!
🚀 Let Cline Install Everything
Copy one of these prompts based on your operating system and paste it into Cline:
For macOS
For Windows
For Linux
✅ Pro Tip: Cline will show you each command before running it. You stay in control the entire time!
🔍 What Will Happen
Cline will guide you through the following steps:
- Installing the appropriate package manager for your system
- Using the package manager to install Node.js and Git
- Showing you the exact command before it runs (you approve each step!)
- Verifying each installation is successful
⚠️ Note: You might need to enter your computer’s password for some installations. This is normal!
💡 Why These Tools Are Important
- Node.js & npm:
- Build websites with frameworks like React or Next.js
- Run JavaScript code
- Install JavaScript packages
- Git:
- Save different versions of your code
- Collaborate with other developers
- Back up your work
- Package Managers:
- Quickly install and update development tools
- Keep your environment organized and up to date
🧩 Notes
💡 Tip: The installation process is interactive — Cline will guide you step by step!
- All commands are shown to you for approval before they run.
- If you run into any issues, Cline will help troubleshoot them.
- You may need to enter your computer’s password for certain steps.
🧑💻 Additional Tips for New Coders
Understanding the Terminal
The Terminal is an application where you can type commands to interact with your computer.
- macOS: Open it by searching for “Terminal” in Spotlight.
- Example:
Understanding VS Code Features
- Terminal in VS Code: Run commands directly from within VS Code!
- Go to View > Terminal or press `Ctrl + “.
- Example:
- Document View: Where you edit your code files.
- Open files from the Explorer panel on the left.
- Problems Section: View errors or warnings in your code.
- Access it by clicking the lightbulb icon or View > Problems.
Common Features
- Command Line Interface (CLI): A powerful tool for running commands.
- Permissions: You might need to grant permissions to certain commands — this keeps your system secure.