Windows Setup Guide

Complete setup instructions for Windows users: VS Code, Node.js, Git, and developer tools.

Introduction

Setting up your development environment on Windows requires downloading and installing each tool individually. While Windows has package managers like Chocolatey and WinGet, we will use direct downloads for simplicity and consistency. This guide will establish a professional development environment identical to what you would use in industry.

The following instructions are specifically for Windows users. Mac users should refer to the Mac Setup Guide instead. The entire setup process takes approximately 45 minutes depending on your internet connection speed.

Note: If you are an advanced Windows user and you know and understand how to use the 📦 managers such as Chocolatey or WinGet, you may choose to use them for installation.

What You'll Install Today

• Visual Studio Code: Your primary code editor
• Node.js LTS: JavaScript runtime for executing code outside browsers
• Git: Version control system for tracking code changes
• Warp Terminal: Modern terminal with integrated AI assistance
• GitHub CLI: Command-line interface for GitHub operations

Core Concept Overview

Understanding Windows Development Tools

Git Bash and Warp Terminal will be your primary command-line tools in this course. Windows also includes Command Prompt and PowerShell, but we will not rely on them for day-to-day work. Git Bash (installed with Git for Windows) gives you a Unix-style terminal, and Warp adds a modern interface and integrated AI help.

Visual Studio Code functions as a powerful code editor created by Microsoft. It provides syntax highlighting for code readability, integrated terminal access, comprehensive file management, and thousands of extensions for added functionality. The editor serves as your primary workspace for writing and editing code.

Node.js enables JavaScript execution directly on your computer rather than exclusively in web browsers. It includes npm (Node Package Manager) for installing code libraries and packages. We install the LTS (Long Term Support) version for maximum stability.

Git provides version control capabilities essential for professional development. It tracks changes in your code over time, enables collaboration with other developers, and creates snapshots of your work for recovery purposes.

Windows File System Structure

Windows organizes files through a hierarchical structure starting with drive letters. Your main drive typically appears as C:\, with user files stored in C:\Users\YourName\. Most software installs to C:\Program Files\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\. We will create a dedicated Dev folder in your user directory for organizing all development projects.

The PATH environment variable determines where Windows searches for executable programs. Many installation issues stem from incorrect PATH configuration, which installers typically handle automatically when you select the appropriate options.

Hands-On Application

Step 1: Install Visual Studio Code

Navigate to the VS Code website at https://code.visualstudio.com/ using any web browser. Click the prominent "Download for Windows" button to download the installer file, which will be named something like VSCodeUserSetup-x64-1.XX.X.exe.

Once downloaded, navigate to your Downloads folder and double-click the installer file. When Windows requests permission to make changes, click Yes. Proceed through the installation wizard, accepting the license agreement.

On the "Select Additional Tasks" screen, ensure you check all the following options: "Add 'Open with Code' action to Windows Explorer file context menu", "Add 'Open with Code' action to Windows Explorer directory context menu", "Register Code as an editor for supported file types", and "Add to PATH". These selections enable convenient VS Code access from Windows Explorer and the command line.

Complete the installation by clicking Install and waiting for the process to finish. Launch VS Code to verify successful installation. You should see the Welcome screen with a dark theme by default.

Step 2: Install Node.js

Visit the Node.js website at https://nodejs.org/. You will see two download options. Select the LTS version (marked as "Recommended for Most Users") rather than the Current version. This downloads a file named like node-v20.XX.X-x64.msi.

Run the Node.js installer from your Downloads folder, granting Windows permission when requested. Progress through the installation wizard, accepting the license agreement and keeping the default installation location. On the Custom Setup screen, verify that "Add to PATH" is selected before proceeding.

After installation completes, you'll verify Node.js works correctly from your terminal once Git Bash and/or Warp are set up in later steps. After installing Git in the next step, open Git Bash from the Start menu (or Warp Terminal if you've already installed it) and run node --version and npm --version; you should see version numbers such as v20.11.0 and 10.2.4.

Step 3: Install Git

Download Git from https://git-scm.com/ by clicking "Download for Windows". This downloads a file like Git-2.XX.X-64-bit.exe. Run the installer from your Downloads folder with administrator permission.

The Git installer presents numerous configuration screens. Maintain the default selections for all options (including installation of Git Bash) except:

After installation, verify Git functionality by opening Git Bash or Warp Terminal and typing git --version. You should see output like git version 2.42.0.windows.1.

Step 4: Install Warp Terminal

Warp provides a modern terminal experience with integrated AI assistance. Download Warp by clicking "Download for Windows". Run the installer with default options and launch Warp when installation completes.

When you first open Warp, you'll be prompted to sign up for a Warp account. Choose "Continue with GitHub" to connect your GitHub account. This gives you access to Warp's cloud features and syncs your settings across devices. If you don't have a GitHub account yet, create one first at github.com.

Warp improves upon Command Prompt and PowerShell through its modern interface with tabs, intelligent autocompletion, built-in AI help accessible with the # symbol, and superior text rendering. Use Warp as your primary terminal moving forward.

Note: If you encounter permission issues when running commands in Warp, try running Warp as administrator by right-clicking its icon and selecting "Run as administrator". Also keep Git Bash (installed with Git for Windows) as a backup terminal in case Warp is unavailable.

Important Note About PowerShell: While PowerShell will technically work for most course commands, you will miss significant benefits by not using Warp Terminal. The integrated AI assistance in Warp helps you learn commands, debug errors, and understand what you are doing in real-time. PowerShell users will need to rely on external resources for the same support. Additionally, some course instructions may reference Warp-specific features that PowerShell lacks. We strongly recommend using Warp Terminal to ensure the best learning experience and to stay aligned with course materials.

Understanding Warp Better

Warp is a modern terminal built for speed and efficiency. Key features include Command Palette for quick command access, Split Panes for multiple terminal sessions, Persistent Sessions that survive window closure, and Built-in Git Integration for repository management.

Warp offers Warp University and YouTube tutorials to help you master the terminal:

Step 5: Install GitHub CLI

Visit https://cli.github.com/ and click "Download for Windows" to download a file like gh_2.XX.X_windows_amd64.msi. Run the installer with administrator permission, maintaining all default options throughout the installation wizard.

Verify installation by opening Warp and typing gh --version. You should see output like gh version 2.40.1.

Step 6: Authenticate GitHub CLI

Ensure you are logged into GitHub in your web browser before proceeding. In Warp, type gh auth login and press Enter. Follow the authentication prompts: Select "GitHub.com" for where you use GitHub. Choose "HTTPS" as your preferred protocol. Select "Yes" to authenticate Git with your GitHub credentials. Choose "Login with a web browser" for authentication method.

Copy the one-time code displayed (like "7516-60CE"), press Enter to open GitHub in your browser, and paste the code when prompted. Click Authorize to complete authentication. Verify success by typing gh auth status, which should show "Logged in to github.com" with your username.

Step 8: Create Your Development Folder

Open File Explorer with Windows key + E. Navigate to your user folder by clicking "This PC", then your C: drive, then Users, then your username folder. Right-click in an empty area and select New → Folder. Name it exactly Dev with a capital D.

Test the setup by right-clicking your Dev folder. You should see "Open with Code" in the context menu. Click it to open the folder in VS Code. If VS Code opens with your Dev folder visible in the sidebar, your setup is complete.

Tool Verification and Maintenance

Open Warp Terminal and run these verification commands to confirm successful installation:

# Check each tool's version
git --version
code --version
node --version
npm --version
gh --version
gh auth status

Each command should return a version number or status confirmation. The spacing between commands and flags (like git --version) is critical. These delimiter spaces allow the terminal to distinguish between the command and its options.

Navigating in Warp Terminal

Use these basic commands to navigate your file system in Warp Terminal:

• cd Dev → Change directory to your Dev folder
• ls → List files and folders in the current directory
• pwd → Print the current working directory path

Troubleshooting Quick Reference

If VS Code will not open, check your Start menu for "Visual Studio Code" or try running the installer again as administrator. For Node commands not found, restart your computer to refresh PATH, then reinstall Node.js if necessary, ensuring "Add to PATH" is selected. Git recognition issues may require checking for Git Bash in your Start menu or restarting your computer. If you cannot create the Code folder, verify you are in your user folder with appropriate permissions.

Keep Your Tools Updated

Windows tools don’t auto‑upgrade as nicely as on Mac, so plan to refresh them every 1–2 months:

• VS Code, Node.js, Git, Warp, GitHub CLI: Revisit their official download pages, grab the latest installers, and run them—this will update in place.
• Put a simple recurring reminder on your phone (for example, first weekend of every other month) to do this quick maintenance pass.

What You've Accomplished

You have successfully established a professional Windows development environment including Visual Studio Code for code editing, Node.js for JavaScript execution, Git for version control, Warp Terminal for enhanced command-line access, GitHub CLI for repository management, and an organized folder structure for your projects. This setup matches what professional developers use at technology companies worldwide.

Next Steps

With your development environment ready, you will proceed to configure VS Code with essential extensions, learn Git fundamentals for version control, and write your first JavaScript programs. This foundation enables you to begin serious programming work immediately.