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Phase 0 · 1–2 weeks
Get set up
Getting your computer ready, so nothing annoying gets in your way later.
What to learn
- Install Python and VS Code (the program where you write your code).
- Learn the terminal (a text window where you type commands to tell the computer what to do).
- Get comfortable typing without looking at the keyboard (try monkeytype.com).
- Learn to copy an error message into Google and read the answers. This is a real skill that everyone uses, every day.
Step-by-step setup guides
Installing things is the most annoying part, and Windows trips people up more than Mac. These walk you through it.
Install Python
Install VS Code (your code editor)
Install Git (you’ll need it in Phase 2)
No powerful computer? You can still start. An old laptop is fine all the way up to Phase 8. If all you have is a phone, write and run real code in the browser with Replit (replit.com) or Google Colab (colab.research.google.com) — nothing to install.
Videos to watch
Practice on your own
- Install Python and make it print the words Hello, world.
- In the terminal: make a folder, put a file in it, show what is inside, then delete it.
- Do 3 short typing lessons.
- Type one wrong letter on purpose, read the red error, and Google it.
Build this
A tiny Python program that asks your name and favourite subject, then prints a pretty "hello card". The goal is just to see your setup working.
Move on when: You can open VS Code, type a small program, and run it in the terminal without help.