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👋 Apprentice Quick Setup Guide

What You're Getting

A safe experimental environment for learning Node.js, TypeScript, and GitHub Copilot. Everything runs in a container, so you can't break your Surface laptop while experimenting!

🚀 One-Time Setup (30 minutes)

Step 1: Install Required Software

  1. Docker Desktop: Download here

    • Choose "Windows" version
    • Install and restart your computer
    • Open Docker Desktop (it needs to be running)

  2. VS Code: Download here (if you don't have it)

  3. Dev Containers Extension:

    • Open VS Code
    • Press Ctrl+Shift+X (Extensions)
    • Search for "Dev Containers"
    • Install the one by Microsoft

Step 2: Get the Project

# Open PowerShell and run:
git clone https://github.com/BurtHarris/dogeTech.git
cd dogeTech
code .

Step 3: Open in Container

  • VS Code will show a popup: "Reopen in Container"
  • Click it!
  • Wait 5-10 minutes for first build (downloads everything)
  • You'll see: "🚀 DogeTech Experimental Dev Container Ready!"

✅ You're Ready!

Test It Works

In the VS Code terminal (should be PowerShell):

node --version     # Should show Node.js version
npm --version      # Should show npm version
pwsh --version     # Should show PowerShell version

Try Your First Experiment

  1. Edit src/index.ts in VS Code
  2. Add some code (GitHub Copilot will help!)
  3. Run it: npm run dev
  4. Visit http://localhost:3000 in your browser

🤝 Working Together

Getting Updates

When your mentor adds new tools or fixes:

git pull
# Then in VS Code: Ctrl+Shift+P → "Dev Containers: Rebuild Container"

Sharing Your Work

git add .
git commit -m "Description of what you built"
git push

🆘 If Something Goes Wrong

Container Won't Start

# Try rebuilding:
# In VS Code: Ctrl+Shift+P → "Dev Containers: Rebuild Container"

VS Code Won't Connect

  1. Close VS Code completely
  2. Open PowerShell in the dogeTech folder
  3. Run: code .
  4. Click "Reopen in Container" again

Docker Issues

  1. Make sure Docker Desktop is running (icon in system tray)
  2. Restart Docker Desktop
  3. Try the container again

💡 What You Can Experiment With

  • Node.js/TypeScript projects
  • GitHub Copilot AI assistance
  • Web APIs and servers
  • Any experimental code safely

The container is your safe playground - you can't break anything on your Surface laptop!

📞 Getting Help

  • Check the other docs in the docs/ folder
  • Ask your mentor (they have the exact same setup)
  • Remember: if all else fails, you can always rebuild the container fresh

Happy experimenting! 🚀