Lesson 0 - Prerequisites

The GitHub Copilot app is a desktop hub for working with Copilot and GitHub. During this workshop you’ll build a small standalone web app, then work locally with the Tailspin Toys Astro project. Before you install the app, make sure the local tools used by the lessons are ready.

In this lesson, you will:

confirm Git is installed.
install Node.js so the workshop projects can run on your machine.

Confirm Git is installed

Open a terminal and run:

git --version

If the command is not found, install Git, open a new terminal, and run the command again.

Install Node.js

Several lessons ask an agent to build features and run the Tailspin Toys test suite locally, which needs Node.js — the only runtime the project requires. Install version 22 or newer; the current LTS release is a safe choice.

The simplest option on every platform is the official installer:

In your operating system, open a terminal window using Windows Terminal, macOS terminal, or whatever you typically use.
Run the following command to confirm you have at least Node.js 22 or higher installed:
Terminal window
```
node --version
```
If you see v22 or a higher number, you can skip to the next section!

Open the Node.js download page.
Download the LTS build for your operating system.
Run the installer and accept the defaults. On Windows, keep the Add to PATH option selected.
Once installed, open a new terminal window.
Confirm the install in the new terminal window by running the following:
Terminal window
```
node --version
```
You should see v22.x.x or higher.

Summary and next steps

You’re set up! Git and Node.js are available for the projects you’ll build during the workshop.

Next, you’ll install the GitHub Copilot app, sign in, and get oriented in the workspace. Continue to Lesson 1 - Installing the GitHub Copilot app.