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Step 1: AI Platform Accounts + Apps

What: Sign up for AI platforms and install every app they offer — desktop, mobile, and web. Time: ~15 minutes Requires: Nothing — this is where you start.

Each AI platform gives you multiple ways to interact with it — a web interface, a desktop app, and a mobile app. Install all of them for whichever platforms you subscribe to. Different situations call for different tools: you'll use the web or desktop app for focused work sessions, the mobile app for quick questions on the go, and the developer tools (set up in Part 2) for hands-on building.

You only need one platform to get started. Claude is the primary platform used throughout this cookbook, but all four platforms are covered.

Claude (Anthropic)

Requires a Claude Pro, Max, or Team subscription.

  1. Go to claude.ai and sign up (or sign in)
  2. Upgrade to Claude Pro ($20/month) or Claude Max for extended usage
  3. Install all available apps:
  4. Sign in to each app with your account

Official docs: Claude Support — Getting started

ChatGPT (OpenAI)

Requires a ChatGPT Plus or Team subscription.

  1. Go to chatgpt.com and sign up (or sign in)
  2. Upgrade to ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) or ChatGPT Team for the full feature set
  3. Install all available apps:
  4. Sign in to each app with your account

Official docs: OpenAI Help Center — Getting started

Gemini (Google)

Requires a Gemini Advanced (Google One AI Premium) subscription.

  1. Go to gemini.google/subscriptions and sign in with your Google account
  2. Upgrade to Gemini Advanced ($20/month via Google One AI Premium) for the full feature set
  3. Install all available apps:
  4. Sign in to each app with your Google account

Official docs: Gemini Help Center

Your Workspace admin enables Gemini — check with IT if you don't have access.

  1. Go to Google Workspace AI to explore Gemini for your organization
  2. Once enabled, access Gemini at gemini.google.com with your work account
  3. Install available apps:

Official docs: Google Workspace AI solutions

Your Google Cloud admin provisions Gemini Enterprise — check with IT if you don't have access.

  1. Go to Gemini for Google Cloud to explore enterprise options
  2. Once enabled, access Gemini through Google Cloud Console and integrated Google services

Official docs: Gemini Enterprise

Microsoft 365 Copilot

Requires a Microsoft 365 subscription with Copilot enabled.

  1. Go to copilot.microsoft.com and sign in with your Microsoft account
  2. Ensure your Microsoft 365 subscription has Copilot enabled
  3. Install all available apps:
    • Desktop: Update Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, Teams) to the latest version to enable Copilot
    • Mobile: App Store or Google Play
  4. Sign in to each app with your Microsoft account

Official docs: Microsoft Copilot Help

You're Done When

You've signed in and installed the available apps for each platform you subscribe to.

  • Claude — web, desktop, and mobile
  • ChatGPT — web, desktop, and mobile (recommended)
  • Gemini — web and mobile (recommended)
  • Microsoft 365 Copilot — web, desktop, and mobile (recommended)