Builder Stack Setup Guide¶

This page walks you through every tool you need for an AI builder workflow. Later steps depend on earlier ones, so work through them in order. Budget about 75 minutes to complete the required steps (longer if you include the optional ones).

Use the checkboxes to track your progress as you go.

At a Glance¶

Step 1: Terminal Basics¶

What: Learn to navigate your computer's command line. Time: ~15 minutes Requires: Nothing — this is where you start.

Every tool in this stack runs through the terminal. You don't need to be an expert — just comfortable opening it, navigating folders, and running commands.

Go to Terminal Basics guide

You're done when: You can open a terminal, run pwd, and navigate to a folder with cd.

• Terminal Basics — complete

Step 2: AI Code Editor + Extensions¶

What: Install a code editor and add AI coding extensions. Time: ~15 minutes Requires: Step 1 (Terminal Basics)

Your editor is where you'll read, write, and edit code. This guide covers Cursor (has AI built in) and VS Code (free), plus AI extensions for Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, and Gemini Code Assist.

Go to Editor Setup guide

You're done when: You can open your editor, navigate files and folders, and see the Claude Code extension installed.

• AI Code Editor — installed
• AI extensions — installed

Step 3: Git¶

What: Install Git for version control. Time: ~10 minutes Requires: Step 1 (Terminal Basics)

Git tracks changes to your files and lets you collaborate on code. Claude Code and GitHub both depend on it.

Go to Git Installation guide

You're done when: Opening your terminal and typing git --version prints a version number.

• Git — installed

Step 4: GitHub¶

What: Create a GitHub account and connect it to your editor. Time: ~15 minutes Requires: Steps 2 (Editor) and 3 (Git)

GitHub hosts your projects (called repositories) in the cloud. You'll use it to download projects, upload your changes, and collaborate.

Go to GitHub Setup guide

You're done when: You can download (clone) a project from GitHub into your editor.

• GitHub — account created and connected

Step 5: AI Coding CLIs¶

What: Install Claude Code and (optionally) other AI coding CLIs — command-line tools that let you use AI directly from your terminal. Time: ~15 minutes Requires: Steps 2 (Editor) and 3 (Git)

Claude Code is the primary AI coding CLI used throughout this cookbook. The guide also covers OpenAI Codex CLI and Gemini CLI as optional alternatives.

Go to CLI Setup Guide

You're done when: Running claude --version prints a version number, and typing claude starts a conversation with Claude in your terminal.

• Claude Code CLI — installed and authenticated
• OpenAI Codex CLI — installed (optional)
• Gemini CLI — installed (optional)

Step 6: AI Registry + Plugins¶

What: Add the Hands-on AI plugin marketplace, set up the AI Registry, and install plugins. Time: ~20 minutes Requires: Step 5 (AI Coding CLIs) — plugin commands run inside Claude Code

This step has three parts:

1. Add the plugin marketplace. Register the Hands-on AI marketplace so Claude Code knows where to find plugins. You only need to do this once:

/plugin marketplace add jamesgray-ai/handsonai

See the Using Plugins guide for the full walkthrough.

2. Set up the AI Registry. The AI Registry is a Notion workspace template that gives you a structured system for tracking your workflows, AI building blocks, and connected applications. Once it's connected, Claude can name workflows, write SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), and register skills directly in Notion.

Go to AI Registry Setup guide

3. Install plugins. With the marketplace added, install plugins to give Claude domain expertise:

/plugin install business-first-ai@handsonai
/plugin install ai-registry@handsonai

The Business-First AI plugin is required for a guided experience on the Claude platform using skills — it includes agents and skills for analyzing AI opportunities, deconstructing workflows, and building with AI. The AI Registry plugin is required for Claude users who want to integrate seamlessly with the Notion registry — it lets Claude name workflows, write SOPs, and register building blocks directly in your workspace.

Browse all available plugins on the Plugin Marketplace.

You're done when: You've completed the parts above that apply to your workflow.

• Plugin marketplace — registered
• AI Registry — Notion template duplicated and connected (optional)
• AI Registry plugin — installed (optional)
• Business-First AI plugin — installed (optional)

Step 7: Voice to Text¶

What: Set up voice dictation for faster input. Time: ~10 minutes Requires: Nothing — this step is fully independent.

Voice input can speed up how you write prompts, notes, and messages. This is optional but useful for anyone who thinks faster than they type.

Go to Voice to Text Setup guide

You're done when: You can dictate text into any input field on your computer.

• Voice to Text — set up (optional)

What's Next?¶

With your builder stack in place, you're ready to start building with AI.