What you'll build
You'll configure a complete and professional development environment. You'll install VS Code with essential extensions, customize your terminal, and set up the tools that will make you more productive. You'll learn to organize your workspace like professional developers do. By the end, you'll have everything ready and organized to start coding right away.
Essential tools
| Tool | What for |
|---|---|
| VS Code or Cursor | Code editor |
| Node.js | JavaScript/TypeScript |
| Git | Version control |
| Terminal | Commands |
Step 1: Install VS Code (or Cursor)
- VS Code: code.visualstudio.com
- Cursor (with integrated AI): cursor.com
Step 2: Install Node.js
| System | Command |
|---|---|
| macOS | brew install node |
| Windows | Download from nodejs.org |
| Linux | sudo apt install nodejs npm |
Verify:
node --version
npm --version
Step 3: VS Code Extensions
Open VS Code and install these extensions (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + X):
| Extension | What for |
|---|---|
| ESLint | Detects code errors |
| Prettier | Formats your code |
| GitLens | Better Git integration |
| GitHub Copilot | AI that helps you code |
Step 4: Configure integrated terminal
In VS Code, open terminal: `Ctrl + `` (backtick)
Configure your favorite shell:
- Open Settings (Cmd/Ctrl + ,)
- Search "terminal default"
- Select zsh, bash, or PowerShell
Useful shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Cmd/Ctrl + P | Find files |
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P | Command palette |
Cmd/Ctrl + B | Toggle sidebar |
| `Cmd/Ctrl + `` | Toggle terminal |
Cmd/Ctrl + / | Comment line |
Typical project structure
my-project/
├── src/ # Source code
├── tests/ # Tests
├── node_modules/ # Dependencies (ignore)
├── package.json # npm config
├── .gitignore # Files to ignore
└── README.md # Documentation
Basic .gitignore
Create a .gitignore file:
node_modules/
.env
.DS_Store
*.log
Next step
→ My First Bash Script — Automate tasks