Who this is for
Absolute beginners; anyone who's never typed a command before. Don't write or review code and don't plan to? This whole track isn't for you — operator Module 05 (browser drafting) is the better door.
Know your OS path
Every install in this track has three variants. Pick your machine once — this page (and every terminal lesson) will then show only your path. Your choice is saved on this device.
Which machine are you on?
↑ Pick one to filter every command on this page. (Showing all three until you do.)
You're on macOS: open Terminal.app (or iTerm2). Your shell is usually zsh.
You're on Windows: open Windows Terminal + PowerShell. The prompt shows PS C:\ — that's how you know.
You're on WSL: open Ubuntu inside Windows Terminal. It feels like Linux — use apt, not winget.
The emergency brake (if you feel stuck or panicked)
- Terminal won't stop running? Hold
Ctrland tapC. The prompt comes back. Nothing breaks. - Typed something scary? Don't press Enter — press
Ctrl+Cto throw the line away. - Nothing you type in this lesson can break your computer — these are lookup commands, not delete commands.
Open the right window
About 10 min
Run the check for your shell. Copy one command at a time — never paste a stack of commands you haven't read.
echo $SHELL pwd
$PSVersionTable.PSVersion pwd
Try this
Paste the shell check above into your terminal and press Enter.
You should see: a line like /bin/zsh and a path like /Users/you. Silence after that is success — Unix says nothing when things work.
Try this
Paste the shell check above into PowerShell and press Enter.
You should see: a version table and a path starting C:\Users\…. A fresh PS prompt after that means it worked.
Ctrl+C stops anything. Re-paste yours.
Get a package manager
About 15–30 min
- macOS — get Homebrew (if missing): follow the official one-liner at brew.sh. Then run
brew --version. - Windows — check winget: run
winget --version. If missing, install App Installer from Microsoft. - WSL Ubuntu — update apt: run the block below.
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y curl git ca-certificates
Paste a curl … | bash line into PowerShell — it will fail loudly. Use the irm … | iex shape for Windows, curl for Mac/WSL.
Learn PATH in one sentence
About 10 min
PATH is the list of folders your shell searches for commands. If claude / codex / grok / hermes isn't found after install, the binary isn't on PATH — reopen the terminal or run the installer's printed fix. You do not need to memorize export syntax on day one; you need to know “new terminal window” often fixes it.
Check Git (optional)
About 10 min
Agents that commit or diff need Git. Check, and install only if missing (brew install git, Git for Windows, or sudo apt install git):
git --version
Write the secrets rule
About 10 min
Paste an API key into any chat — Academy, Discord, or an agent session — “to debug.” Keys live in the vendor login flow, your OS keychain, or env vars. Nowhere else.
Write this somewhere you'll actually look, then grab the worksheet:
- API keys live in the vendor login flow, OS keychain, or env vars — not in Notion/Slack/chat.
- Never paste keys into Academy, Discord, or an agent session “to debug.”
- If a key leaks, revoke it in the provider console the same day.
↓ Setup + secrets checklist (PDF)
Prefer paper via browser? Print-ready HTML version (File → Print → Save as PDF).
Success check
- Correct terminal open for your OS
- Package manager responds (
brew/winget/apt) git --versionworks or you consciously deferred Git- Secrets rule written somewhere you'll actually look
Common failure modes
| Failure | Fix |
|---|---|
| Ran a bash one-liner in PowerShell | Use the PowerShell (irm … | iex) variant |
command not found after install | Close terminal, reopen; check installer “Setup notes” |
| Installed Node “because AI needs it” | Skip until a module requires it |
| Pasted a key into chat to “test” | Revoke key; use vendor login instead |
Don't buy / don't install yet
Don't buy a new laptop for this track. Don't install Docker, Kubernetes, or “AI stacks” yet. Don't pay for three model subscriptions before one agent runs.
Bring the exact error text to a free 30-minute consult. Vague “it doesn't work” wastes the call — copy the error first.