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Lesson 01: GitHub & IDE Setup

Get your development environment ready

What You'll Do

Create GitHub account
Create or join repository
Install IDE (Cursor or VS Code)
Verify everything works

Time: 25-30 minutes

Part 1: GitHub Setup

What is GitHub?

Professional cloud storage + time machine for your project files. Every change is saved, you can go back to any version, and you can work with others.

Step 1: Create GitHub Account

Go to https://github.com
Click "Sign up" (top right)
Enter email, password, username

Username Tips:

Professional: john-designer, sarahux, mike-creates
You might share this with clients

Verify email
Log in

✅ Checkpoint: You can log in to GitHub

Step 2: Choose Your Scenario

Scenario A: Starting a New Project → Continue to Step 3
Scenario B: Joining Existing Project → Skip to Step 6
Scenario C: Just Learning WDS → Skip to Part 2

Step 3: Create Repository (Scenario A)

Click profile icon → "Your repositories" → "New"

Step 4: Decide Repository Structure

IMPORTANT: Your naming choice determines your structure!

Single Repository

Name: my-project (e.g., dog-walker-app)

my-project/
├── docs/    ← WDS specifications
└── src/     ← Code

Use when:

Small team, building yourself
Simple communication
Rapid iteration

Separate Specifications Repository

Name: my-project-specs (e.g., dog-walker-app-specs)

my-project-specs/    ← Specifications only
my-project/          ← Separate code repo

Use when:

Corporate environment
Many developers
Clear handoff needed

Step 5: Create Repository

Name: ____________ (lowercase-with-hyphens)
Description: One-liner about project
Public (portfolio) or Private (client work)
☑️ Check "Initialize with README"
Click "Create repository"

✅ Checkpoint: Repository created

Step 6: Join Existing Repository (Scenario B)

Email template:

Hi [Name],

I'd like to contribute to [project-name] using WDS methodology. 
Could you add me as a collaborator?

My GitHub username: [your-username]

Thank you!

Then:

Accept invitation from email
Check repo name (ends in -specs? Separate repo)
Browse structure (has docs/? WDS already!)

✅ Checkpoint: Access granted

Part 2: IDE Installation

What is an IDE?

Your workspace for creating specifications. Like Microsoft Word, but for design files.

Step 1: Choose Your IDE

Cursor (Recommended)

Built for AI assistance
Perfect for WDS
Download: https://cursor.sh

VS Code (Alternative)

Industry standard
Works great too
Download: https://code.visualstudio.com

For beginners: Choose Cursor

Step 2: Install

Windows:

Run .exe file
Click through installer
Use defaults

Mac:

Open download
Drag to Applications
Open from Applications

Linux: Follow distro instructions

Step 3: First Launch

Choose theme (Light/Dark)
Sign in with GitHub → Yes!
Install recommended extensions → Yes

✅ Checkpoint: IDE open and ready

Step 4: Verify Terminal

Press Ctrl+** (Win/Linux) or **Cmd+ (Mac)

✅ Checkpoint: Terminal panel appears

Troubleshooting

GitHub Issues:

Verification email missing → Check spam
Username taken → Try yourname-designer-2
Repository name taken → Add your username

IDE Issues:

Can't find download → Check Downloads folder
Mac "unidentified developer" → Right-click → Open
Terminal won't open → View menu → Terminal → New Terminal

What's Next?

GitHub account, repository, and IDE are ready! Now let's configure Git.

Continue to Lesson 02: Git Configuration →

Part of Module 02: Installation & Setup
← Back to Module Overview

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