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Terminal setup

Set up an AI that can actually build.

Claude Code, Codex, and Hermes are AI builders: they run on your computer and create real files, websites, and tools. Pick one. Each section below tells you exactly how to open the terminal and exactly what to paste. If anything fails, raise your hand or use the Hermes track, do not lose ten minutes fighting an install.

First: Open The Terminal

The terminal is just a text window where you paste commands.

Mac

Press Command + Space, type Terminal, press Enter. A window with a blinking cursor opens. That is it.

Windows

Press the Windows key, type PowerShell, press Enter. A blue or black window with a blinking cursor opens. That is it.

How to paste

Copy a command with the button or Ctrl/Cmd+C, click in the terminal window, paste with Cmd+V (Mac) or right-click or Ctrl+V (Windows), then press Enter.

Option A: Claude Code

Claude Code (recommended if you have a Claude account)

1. Open the terminal

See above. Mac uses Terminal, Windows uses PowerShell.

2. Paste the install command and press Enter

Mac:

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

Windows (PowerShell):

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

Wait until it finishes. It can take a minute or two.

3. Close and reopen the terminal, then start it

claude

It will ask you to log in with your Claude account in the browser. Log in, come back to the terminal, and you are ready.

4. Paste your brief from step 1

Here is my project brief: [paste your brief]
Make a plan for the smallest version we can finish today.
Don't ask me questions, just make it work. Fix any errors you run into.

More detail on the Claude Code track page.

Option B: Codex

Codex (recommended if you have a ChatGPT account)

1. Open the terminal

Same as above.

2. Paste the install command and press Enter

Mac and Windows (needs Node.js; if this fails, ask a helper or switch to Hermes):

npm install -g @openai/codex

3. Start it

codex

It will ask you to sign in with your ChatGPT account. Sign in and you are ready.

4. Paste your brief from step 1

Here is my project brief: [paste your brief]
Make a plan for the smallest version we can finish today.
Don't ask me questions, just make it work. Fix any errors you run into.

More detail on the Codex track page.

Option C: Hermes

Hermes (no install, no paid account needed)

Nothing to install

Hermes is the workshop fallback for anyone whose install fails or who has no paid AI account. It runs through the workshop itself, so your pod keeps moving.

Follow the Hermes track

Open the Hermes setup page and follow it with a helper.

If You Get Stuck

Ten minute rule.

Raise your hand

Helpers are in the room for exactly this. An install problem is normal, not a failure.

Switch tracks

If one tool will not install in ten minutes, switch to another option or the Hermes track. The goal is building, not installing.