Workshop setup
AI Workshop: Code and Automate with ChatGPT Codex Setup Guide
Install Visual Studio Code, the ChatGPT Codex VS Code extension, Git, GitHub, Docker Desktop, and make sure your ChatGPT Plus account is ready before AI Workshop: Code and Automate with ChatGPT Codex.
What you need
Install everything on the laptop you plan to use during the workshop. No custom scripts are required for setup.
You need six things: Visual Studio Code, a working ChatGPT Plus account in your browser, Git, a GitHub account, a Docker account with Docker Desktop installed, and the ChatGPT Codex extension in VS Code.
Use the setup instructions below for the full step-by-step guide.
Prefer to start with a walkthrough? Watch the setup video on YouTube, then use this page as your reference as you go. This page may include more detail and follow-up notes than the video.
What's in this article
Use these links to jump to the full setup instructions for each item. This is a table of contents, not the complete setup guide.
Visual Studio Code (free)
We will use VS Code as the main editing environment during the workshop.
Install the stable release and open it once so the app can finish first-run setup.
ChatGPT Plus
We recommend ChatGPT Plus so you have reliable access during the live sessions.
You do not need to install a desktop app for ChatGPT. We recommend a paid ChatGPT account, and you should make sure it works in the browser before the workshop starts.
Set up your ChatGPT account before moving on to Git so you know your login is working and ready for the workshop.
ChatGPT Plus: openai.com/chatgpt/pricing
Git (free)
Git is required for local version control before we connect your work to GitHub.
On Windows, go to git-scm.com/install/windows and run the installer executable.
On macOS, open the Terminal app from Applications, Utilities, or press Command + Space, type Terminal, and press Return.
On macOS, open Terminal first, then install Homebrew, then install Git, and then configure Git.
Then install Homebrew by pasting this command into Terminal:
Terminal command
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"After Homebrew is installed on macOS, run:
Terminal command
brew install gitAfter Git is installed, open Terminal, Windows Terminal, or PowerShell and run these commands one at a time:
Set Git username
git config --global user.name "John Doe"Set Git email
git config --global user.email johndoe@example.comSet default branch
git config --global init.defaultBranch mainThese commands set your Git username, email, and default branch to main.
GitHub (free account)
You need a GitHub account so you can push code, collaborate, and keep your app backed up.
Use an account you can access during the workshop without company approval delays or multi-device login issues.
Enable two-factor authentication and make sure you can sign back in after fully closing your browser. Please test that before the workshop starts.
Docker Desktop (free account required)
We will use Docker to create a consistent development environment for your web app.
Create your Docker account first, then download Docker Desktop, install it, and sign in to the app with that account.
After installation, launch Docker Desktop, complete the first-run setup, and wait until it reports that Docker is running.
Install Docker first, then open Docker Desktop and complete the setup right away.
ChatGPT Codex VS Code extension (free)
Install the ChatGPT Codex extension in VS Code so you can work inside the editor during the workshop.
Open VS Code Extensions Marketplace
In VS Code, the Extensions tab is the area where you browse and install add-ons for the editor. Look for the square icon on the left sidebar, or open it from the View menu.
Open the Extensions tab and install the ChatGPT Codex extension.
Install the ChatGPT Codex extension, then complete its sign-in flow.
After installation, sign in to the extension and make sure it appears in VS Code as ready to use before the workshop starts.
Checklist before Week 1
- ✓ VS Code opens normally.
- ✓ The ChatGPT Codex extension is installed in VS Code and signed in.
- ✓ You know how to open Terminal on Mac or Terminal/PowerShell on Windows.
- ✓ Git is installed, your username and email are configured, and your default branch is set to
main. - ✓ You can sign in to GitHub with two-factor authentication enabled.
- ✓ You can close your browser, reopen it, and sign back in to GitHub successfully.
- ✓ Docker Desktop starts successfully and you can sign in to the app.
- ✓ You can sign in to ChatGPT Plus in your browser.
All setup should be completed before the workshop starts. If you get stuck, use the contact page so Bill or a Cambermast team member can set up a meeting with you ahead of time and help you get unblocked before Week 1.