Skip to content

Core tools

If you haven't worked with code from GitHub, you might need to install some core tools on your workstation.

In addition to the Git source code management program, you need a text editor and a command terminal. You are welcome to use your preferred programs to develop in the way you like. These are our recommendations for new contributors.

  • VS Code
  • Windows Terminal
  • PowerShell
  • ScreenToGif

Visual Studio Code

Install the Visual Studio Code text editor and review the getting started tutorial. There are also guides for using git and for developing Python.

We recommend this because it is an excellent and mature general purpose programming application with syntax highlighting, debugging, and extensions.

Install with winget
PowerShell
winget install --exact --id=Microsoft.VisualStudioCode
winget install --exact --id=Microsoft.VisualStudioCode.CLI

This table lists useful VS Code extensions for this project.

Link Reason
donjayamanne.git-extension-pack   View and search file history
  Adds project manager to left-side activity bar
ms-python.python   Adds navigation and API suggestions
  Adds Python debugging and refactoring
bierner.github-markdown-preview   Apply GitHub's style to your markdown files
charliermarsh.ruff   Lint and format Python code on file-save
tamasfe.even-better-toml   Syntax highlighting and validation for toml files
ms-toolsai.jupyter   Use your own venv as a Jupyter kernel
  • Enable editor.smoothScrolling
  • Enable diffEditor.experimental.showMoves
  • Enable diffEditor.experimental.useTrueInlineView
  • Enable files.insertFinalNewline
  • Enable files.trimFinalNewlines
  • Enable files.trimTrailingWhitespace
  • Enable workbench.list.smoothScrolling
  • Enable terminal.integrated.copyOnSelection
  • Enable terminal.integrated.smoothScrolling
  • Enable terminal.integrated.stickyScroll.enabled

Windows Terminal

Install the Windows Terminal application and configure it for your preferences.

We recommend this because it hosts shells in tabs like a web browser and supports typical copy-paste actions.

Install with winget
PowerShell
winget install --exact --id=Microsoft.WindowsTerminal

To use this font in VS Code:

  • Set terminal.integrated.fontFamily
  • to CaskaydiaCove Nerd Font Mono

PowerShell

Optionally, install PowerShell. This new version is named pwsh and installs side-by-side with the system's powershell console.

We recommend this because it's the newest and fastest shell for Windows.

Install with winget
PowerShell
winget install --exact --id=Microsoft.PowerShell

After installing these, apply their usage instructions to the file returned by $profile.

To use these modules in VS Code:

  • Set terminal.integrated.defaultProfile.windows
  • to PowerShell
  • Apply the same changes to the VS Code profile returned by $profile

ScreenToGif

Optionally, install the ScreenToGif application. This tool records both the screen and mouse clicks.

We recommend this because its recordings help demonstrate program behavior.

Install with winget
PowerShell
winget install --exact --id=NickeManarin.ScreenToGif

Git

Install Git for Windows and keep the default options in the installer dialog pages.

Optionally, install GitHub Desktop and authenticate with GitHub.

We recommend GitHub Desktop because it is designed to be an application for git and GitHub actions.

Install with winget
PowerShell
winget install --exact --id=Git.Git
winget install --exact --id=GitHub.GitHubDesktop

Practical exercises

  1. Complete the full pull request workflow tutorial to create your own profile README from your browser.
  2. Repeat the tutorial using GitHub Desktop and update your profile README page.
  3. Repeat the tutorial using Visual Studio Code and update your profile README page.
  4. Repeat the tutorial using git commands when possible and update your profile README page.
  5. Choose another tutorial from the GitHub skills collection.