Session 00 — Your course workspace

Duration: 120 minutes. Prerequisites: laptop, browser, access to your email. A phone/authenticator is useful for securing accounts. No coding experience required.

Slides: Session 00 deck
Learner checklist: Setup lab

Outcomes

Each learner can find the course, sign into their own GitHub account, obtain a local copy, run the simulation, and use an approved Codex client to explain one file. They can distinguish GitHub login, AI login and local server startup.

Instructor preflight

Use the Mac/Linux/Windows platform guide. Demonstrate ZIP extraction and the editor's Open Folder → New Terminal route on all three platforms. GitHub Desktop is optional and Mac/Windows-only; Linux uses ZIP or Git CLI. Check PowerShell's npm.cmd fallback and record each learner's OS/shell/browser. Do not score installation speed or ownership of a particular OS.

Confirm the published repository URL is set in the site configuration. Test on the operating systems in the cohort. Arrange approved AI seats before class; do not promise free access. Verify relevant age/account eligibility and school/guardian arrangements through the provider's current terms for your cohort. No shared instructor password. Prepare a paired/browser-reading route for restricted school devices.

120-minute plan

Time	Activity	Check
0–10	Welcome: show the final local lab and the course journey	Learners identify what they will build
10–25	Create or recover a personal GitHub account; verify email	Learner shows signed-in profile, no personal details recorded
25–35	Account security and public profile/email awareness	Learner configures protection privately
35–50	Open course repo; navigate README, folders and issues	Find Session 01 lab and explain public read vs write access
50–60	Break; coach installation problems	Triage network vs permissions vs account
60–80	Install Node; obtain repo via ZIP, Git CLI or optional Mac/Windows GitHub Desktop	node --version works; package.json is in open folder
80–95	Run npm start and open local browser URL	Candidate B loads a reserved record
95–110	Open approved Codex client; sign in; explain one file	Response cites a real path; learner checks it
110–120	Personal readiness card and exit demonstration	Start/stop lab and find next session unaided

Live demonstration script

Say: “GitHub stores our course files. Your computer runs the lab. Codex assists with work in the folder you give it. These are separate systems.” Show the repo URL, then a filesystem folder, then the localhost URL. Stop the server to show why refreshing localhost fails. Start it again.

During the AI demo, ask for explanation only. Then let a volunteer identify a claim in the output and verify it against the file. Do not begin with cloud keys or external integrations.

Troubleshooting and differentiation

Wrong directory: locate package.json before running npm. Missing command: reopen terminal after installation and check node --version. Port occupied: stop the other course server or ask coach to set ACADEMY_PORT. Windows shell policy: try Command Prompt and npm.cmd rather than broadly weakening system policy. Restricted installation: use a partner machine and the public course materials; record the blocker for the instructor.

Fast finishers create a personal branch and a local learning note; nobody needs write permission to the course organization.

Exit evidence

Show local lab, explain the setup example's output, locate next session, name the two account systems. Record ready / coach follow-up with the exact blocker. No grades based on install speed.