Initial Setup (Windows)

Setup
One-time installation of VS Code, Git, and Python 3.13 on Windows.
Published

December 30, 2025

Initial Setup Guide (Windows)

Creating with AI in the Loop — One-time Windows setup

This guide installs the core tools you need for the course. You only need to do this once.

Course standard: Python 3.13.x (we’ll support/debug primarily on 3.13). Download: https://www.python.org/downloads/

What you need

  • Windows 10/11
  • A GitHub account (the same one you’ll use to accept GitHub Classroom assignments)

1) Install Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

Download (official)

https://code.visualstudio.com/download

Install

  1. Run the installer.
  2. Accept defaults unless you know you want something else.
  3. Recommended: enable “Add to PATH”.

(Official Windows setup doc: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/setup/windows)

Verify

Open VS Code from the Start menu.

2) Install Git (Git for Windows)

Download (official)

Use either official source:

Install

Accept defaults unless you know you need different settings.

Verify

Open PowerShell and run:

git --version

One-time Git identity setup

git config --global user.name "First Last"
git config --global user.email "you@school.edu"
git config --global --list

3) Install Python (course standard: 3.13.x)

Download (official)

https://www.python.org/downloads/

Install (important checkboxes)

When running the installer: 1. Check “Add python.exe to PATH” 2. Keep pip included (default) 3. Keep the Python launcher (py) enabled if offered (default)

Verify

Close and reopen PowerShell, then run:

python --version
py --version
pip --version

4) Install VS Code extensions

In VS Code, go to Extensions:

  • Python (Microsoft)

Optional:

  • GitHub Pull Requests (GitHub)

You’re done with one-time setup!

For each assignment, follow the GitHub Classroom Workflow Guide.

Troubleshooting

Git not found in VS Code

python not recognized or opens Microsoft Store

  • Install Python 3.13.x

  • Make sure Add to PATH is checked

  • Restart PowerShell and verify:

    python --version
py --version

PowerShell won’t run scripts (execution policy)

Use Command Prompt terminal in VS Code instead, or (advanced) allow local scripts:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned

If you’re stuck, include these in your help request

git --version
python --version
py --version
Back to top