Technical Setup Guide
Everything you need to set up your system for Claude Code, Cursor, or similar AI tools. No prior technical experience required.
Before We Start
If you've never used a terminal before, this will feel uncomfortable. That's normal. The terminal looks like something from the 1980s because it basically is, but it's also incredibly powerful once you know the basics.
You don't need to become a developer. You just need to learn enough to navigate folders and run a few commands.
What is a Terminal?
The terminal is a text-based way to control your computer. Instead of clicking on folders and icons, you type commands. It's how developers have worked for decades, and it's how AI tools like Claude Code interact with your files.
On Mac
Press Cmd + Space, type Terminal, hit Enter.
You'll see a window with a blinking cursor. That's it. You're in the terminal.
On Windows
Press Windows key, type Terminal or PowerShell, hit Enter.
Windows Terminal is the modern option. PowerShell works too.
Four Commands You Need
You can do 90% of what you need with just these four commands.
cd—Change directoryMoves you into a folder. Think of it as double-clicking a folder.
ls—List contentsShows what's in the current folder. Like opening a folder to see what's inside.
pwd—Print working directoryTells you where you are right now. Useful when you're lost.
mkdir—Make directoryCreates a new folder. Like right-click > New Folder.
Choose Your Tool
There are several options. Here's how to choose.
Claude Code
Anthropic's official command-line tool. Runs in your terminal, works directly with your files.
Pros
- +Direct from Anthropic
- +Most powerful integration
- +Works with any editor
Cons
- -Terminal required
- -Steeper learning curve
Best for: Those who want the most control and are willing to learn the terminal.
Setup Guide →Cursor
A code editor with AI built in. Familiar interface if you've used VS Code.
Pros
- +Visual interface
- +Easy to start
- +Good for coding
Cons
- -Separate subscription
- -Less flexible than Claude Code
Best for: Those who prefer a visual editor and want to start quickly.
Setup Guide →Windsurf
Another AI-powered editor. Similar to Cursor with its own approach.
Pros
- +Visual interface
- +Active development
- +Good AI integration
Cons
- -Newer tool
- -Separate subscription
Best for: Those who want an alternative to Cursor.
Setup Guide →Google Antigravity
Google's AI-powered IDE with autonomous agents. Powered by Gemini 3, built on VS Code.
Pros
- +Free for individuals
- +Agent-first architecture
- +Multi-model support
Cons
- -Very new (Nov 2025)
- -Google ecosystem
Best for: Those who want a free option with cutting-edge agent capabilities.
Setup Guide →Organising Your Workspace
Before you start building, set up a sensible folder structure. This will save you hours of confusion later.
Recommended Structure
Create this structure
Copy and paste these commands into your terminal:
Pre-flight Checklist
Before you start using AI tools, make sure you can tick all these boxes.
Terminal opens without errors
Mac: Cmd+Space, type "Terminal". Windows: Search for "Terminal" or "PowerShell".
You can navigate to your Documents folder
Type: cd ~/Documents (Mac) or cd C:\Users\YourName\Documents (Windows)
You can create a test folder
Type: mkdir test-folder then ls to see it appeared.
Claude Code / Cursor / Windsurf installed
Follow the installation guide for your chosen tool.
You can open a folder in your tool
Claude Code: Navigate to folder, type "claude". Cursor/Windsurf: File > Open Folder.
Common Problems
"Command not found"
The tool isn't installed properly, or your terminal doesn't know where to find it. Try closing and reopening your terminal, or reinstall the tool.
"Permission denied"
You're trying to do something in a folder you don't have access to. Make sure you're in your Documents or Projects folder, not a system folder.
"No such file or directory"
The folder or file you're trying to access doesn't exist. Use ls to see what's actually in your current folder, and pwd to see where you are.
Terminal looks frozen
It's probably waiting for input or running a command. Press Ctrl+C to cancel and get back to the prompt.
Need Help With Setup?
Getting stuck on technical setup is common. I can walk you through it in a session. Screen share, troubleshoot together, get you up and running properly.
Book a Session