Prerequisites

Set up Git, GitHub, Bun, and a code editor before the workshop.

Follow these steps before you arrive. Choose the instructions for your computer. On macOS, use Terminal. On Windows, use PowerShell or Windows Terminal.

1. Prepare your GitHub account

GitHub is a website, so you do not need to install GitHub itself. You do need an account that can create a repository.

Create a GitHub account or sign in to your existing account.
Verify the email address on your account.
Open github.com in your browser and make sure you can sign in. We will create your workshop repository together.

GitHub Desktop is optional. The workshop uses terminal commands, but you can download GitHub Desktop and sign in to it if you would like a desktop app as well.

2. Install Git

Git is the version control program used in the workshop.

Windows

In PowerShell or Command Prompt, run:

winget install --id Git.Git -e --source winget

If winget is unavailable, download and run the installer from Git for Windows.

For a visual walkthrough, you can also watch the Windows Git installation video through 5:50.

macOS

Open Terminal and run:

xcode-select --install

Follow the installation prompt. If you already use Homebrew, you can install Git with brew install git instead. See the official macOS Git instructions for other options.

Check that Git works

Close and reopen your terminal, then run:

git --version

The command should print a version number.

3. Create or confirm your Git commit identity

Git records a name and email address on each commit. Replace the example values with the name and email you want attached to your workshop commits:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"

Check the saved values:

git config --global user.name
git config --global user.email

These settings identify your commits; they do not sign you in to GitHub. If you prefer not to show your personal email on public commits, use the private email address GitHub provides in email settings.

4. Install Bun

Bun runs the workshop app. Install it before the session, then reopen your terminal.

macOS

In Terminal, run the official installer:

curl -fsSL https://bun.com/install | bash

Bun requires macOS 13 or later. See the Bun installation guide if you need another installation method or troubleshooting help.

Windows

In PowerShell, run:

powershell -c "irm bun.sh/install.ps1 | iex"

Bun requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later. See the Bun installation guide if you need another installation method or troubleshooting help.

Check that Bun works

In a new terminal window, run:

bun --version

The command should print a version number.

5. Prepare GitHub authentication

You will push commits to GitHub during the workshop. GitHub does not accept your account password for Git over HTTPS. When Git asks you to sign in, use the browser-based sign-in from your credential manager. GitHub’s credential guide explains the options for Windows and macOS.

GitHub CLI is optional; the workshop does not require it. Never share a password, access token, or one-time sign-in code with anyone.

6. Install a code editor

Install Visual Studio Code, or use another code editor you already know. Open it once before the workshop to make sure it starts correctly.

Final check

Before you leave for the workshop, open a terminal and run:

git --version
bun --version
git config --global user.name
git config --global user.email

Bring your laptop and charger, and make sure you can sign in to GitHub in your browser. You do not need to create a workshop repository in advance; we will do that together.

If something goes wrong

git or bun is not recognized: Finish the installation, close and reopen your terminal, then try the version command again.
Git says “Author identity unknown”: Repeat the two git config --global commands with your name and email.
GitHub says the repository was not found: Check that the repository URL and your username are correct.
You cannot push: Complete the credential manager’s browser sign-in. Do not enter your GitHub account password into a Git password prompt.