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Setup Checklist

Everything you need to set up before Session 1. Work through the steps in order — later steps build on earlier ones. Budget 2–3 hours total, split across two sittings if you prefer.

Download Printable Checklist (PDF)

At a Glance

Step What Time Status
Part 1 — Builder Stack
1 Terminal Basics ~15 min Required
2 Code Editor + Extensions ~15 min Required
3 Git ~10 min Required
4 GitHub ~15 min Required
5 AI Coding CLIs ~15 min Required
6 AI Registry + Plugins ~20 min Optional
7 Voice to Text ~10 min Optional
Part 2 — AI Platform Setup
8 AI Platform Accounts ~10 min Required
9 Personalization / Custom Instructions ~15 min Recommended
10 Memory Systems ~10 min Recommended
11 MCP Connections ~15 min Optional

Part 1 — Builder Stack

These steps install the developer tools you'll use throughout the course. Each step has a detailed guide — follow the link, complete the setup, then come back here and check the box.

Step 1: Terminal Basics

What: Learn to open and navigate the command line on your computer.

Go to Terminal Basics guide

  • I can open a terminal and see a prompt ($, %, or >)
  • Running pwd (Mac) or Get-Location (Windows) shows my current directory
Stuck? Ask AI for help

I'm learning to use the terminal on [Mac / Windows] and ran into this issue: [describe what happened]. What does this mean and what should I try?

Step 2: Code Editor + Extensions

What: Install Cursor or VS Code and add AI coding extensions for the platforms you subscribe to.

Go to Editor Setup guide

  • I can open my editor and see the welcome screen or an empty workspace
  • At least one AI extension installed for a platform I have a paid subscription to (Claude Code, Codex, or Gemini Code Assist)
Stuck? Ask AI for help

I'm setting up [Cursor / VS Code] on [Mac / Windows] and running into this issue: [describe what's happening]. What should I try next?

Step 3: Git

What: Install Git for version control.

Go to Git Installation guide

  • Running git --version in my terminal shows a version number
Stuck? Ask AI for help

I'm trying to install Git on [Mac / Windows] and getting this error: [paste error]. What should I try next?

Step 4: GitHub

What: Create a GitHub account and clone a repository.

Go to GitHub Setup guide

  • I have a GitHub account
  • I can clone a repository and see the files in my editor
  • Running git status in the cloned repo shows On branch main
Stuck? Ask AI for help

I'm trying to clone a GitHub repository in [Cursor / VS Code] on [Mac / Windows] and getting this error: [paste error]. What should I try?

Step 5: AI Coding CLIs

What: Install an AI coding CLI for whichever platform you have a subscription to. I highly recommend Claude Code, but Codex CLI and Gemini CLI are also covered in the guide.

Go to CLI Setup guide

  • I have at least one AI coding CLI installed and can start a conversation in my terminal
Stuck? Ask AI for help

I'm trying to install [Claude Code / Codex CLI / Gemini CLI] on [Mac / Windows] and getting this error: [paste error]. What should I try next?

Step 6: AI Registry + Plugins (Optional)

What: Set up the Notion AI Registry and install Claude Code plugins.

Go to AI Registry Setup guide

  • Notion AI Registry template duplicated to my workspace
  • Plugin marketplace registered (/plugin marketplace add jamesgray-ai/handsonai)
  • Business-First AI plugin installed (/plugin install business-first-ai@handsonai)
Stuck? Ask AI for help

I'm setting up the AI Registry in Notion and running into this issue: [describe what's happening]. What should I check?

Step 7: Voice to Text (Optional)

What: Set up voice dictation for hands-free AI input.

Go to Voice to Text Setup guide

  • I can dictate text into any input field on my computer
Stuck? Ask AI for help

I'm setting up [Wispr Flow / Claude Desktop Quick Entry] on [Mac / Windows] for voice-to-text and running into this issue: [describe what's happening]. What should I check?

Part 2 — AI Platform Setup

These steps configure your AI accounts for the best experience in the course. You only need one platform set up — use whichever you prefer.

Step 8: AI Platform Accounts

What: Create an account on at least one AI platform with a paid subscription.

  1. Go to chat.openai.com and sign up (or sign in)
  2. Upgrade to ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) or ChatGPT Team for the full feature set
  3. Confirm you can start a new conversation and get a response

Official docs: OpenAI Help Center — Getting started

  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. Confirm you can start a new conversation and get a response

Official docs: Claude Support — Getting started

  1. Go to gemini.google.com/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. Confirm you can start a new conversation and get a response

Official docs: Gemini Help Center

  1. Go to Google Workspace AI to explore Gemini for your organization
  2. Your Workspace admin enables Gemini — check with IT if you don't have access
  3. Once enabled, access Gemini at gemini.google.com with your work account

Official docs: Google Workspace AI solutions

  1. Go to Gemini for Google Cloud to explore enterprise options
  2. Your Google Cloud admin provisions Gemini Enterprise — check with IT if you don't have access
  3. Once enabled, access Gemini through Google Cloud Console and integrated Google services

Official docs: Gemini Enterprise

  • I have a paid AI platform account and can start conversations

Step 9: Personalization / Custom Instructions

What: Tell your AI platform about yourself so every conversation starts with context about you.

  1. Click your profile picture (bottom-left) → Customize ChatGPT
  2. Fill in both sections:
    • What would you like ChatGPT to know about you? — your role, industry, what you're working on
    • How would you like ChatGPT to respond? — tone, length, format preferences
  3. Click Save

Starter template:

I'm a [your role] in [your industry]. I'm learning to build AI-powered workflows and agents. I prefer concise answers with practical examples. When I ask about technical concepts, explain them in business terms first, then provide the technical details.

Official docs: OpenAI Help — Custom Instructions

  1. Click your initials (lower-left) → Settings
  2. Find "What preferences should Claude consider in responses?"
  3. Enter your preferences and click Save

Starter template:

I'm a [your role] in [your industry]. I'm learning to build AI-powered workflows and agents. I prefer concise answers with practical examples. When I ask about technical concepts, explain them in business terms first, then provide the technical details.

For a complete walkthrough, see the cookbook's Claude Personalization Setup Guide.

Official docs: Claude Support — Personalization features

  1. Go to gemini.google.com → click your profile picture → Settings
  2. Find Personalization and review your preferences
  3. Gemini automatically builds a profile from your conversations over time

Starter template (paste into your first conversation):

I'm a [your role] in [your industry]. I'm learning to build AI-powered workflows and agents. I prefer concise answers with practical examples. When I ask about technical concepts, explain them in business terms first, then provide the technical details. Please remember this for future conversations.

Official docs: Gemini Help — Personalization in Gemini

If you use Gemini through Google Workspace (work or school account), personalization works differently — your admin controls which features are available.

  1. Go to gemini.google.com → Settings
  2. Look for Profile — you can set your preferred name, job title, and industry
  3. If your admin has enabled it, you can also connect data sources (Outlook, OneDrive, conversation history)

Note: Automated memory may not be available on Workspace accounts. You can manually save preferences by telling Gemini "remember that I prefer..." in conversation.

Official docs: Gemini Enterprise — Configure personalization

  • I've added personalization / custom instructions to my AI platform
Stuck? Ask AI for help

I'm trying to set up custom instructions in [ChatGPT / Claude / Gemini] and can't find the setting. I'm on [web / desktop / mobile]. Where do I go?

Step 10: Memory Systems

What: Enable memory so your AI platform remembers context across conversations.

  1. Click your profile picture → Settings → Personalization
  2. Toggle Memory to on
  3. ChatGPT will now remember relevant details from your conversations

You can view and manage memories at any time: Settings → Personalization → Manage Memory.

Official docs: OpenAI Help — Memory FAQ

  1. Click your initials (lower-left) → Settings
  2. Find Memory and toggle it on
  3. Claude will remember key facts you share across standalone chats

Memory also works per-project — Claude remembers project-specific context separately.

Official docs: Claude Support — Memory and chat search

  1. Go to Settings (gear icon or profile menu)
  2. Look for Saved Info or memory-related settings
  3. Review and enable as desired

Gemini automatically builds memory from your conversations over time. You can also tell Gemini to "remember that I prefer..." to save specific preferences.

Official docs: Gemini Help — Personalization and memory

If you use Gemini through Google Workspace, automated memory may not be available — your admin controls which features are enabled.

  1. Go to Settings → check for any Saved Info or memory options
  2. If available, review and enable as desired
  3. If not available, you can manually tell Gemini "remember that I prefer..." in conversation — but it may not persist across sessions

Note: Workspace memory features depend on your organization's admin settings. If you don't see memory options, check with your IT admin.

Official docs: Gemini Enterprise — Configure personalization

  • Memory is enabled on my AI platform
Stuck? Ask AI for help

I'm trying to enable memory in [ChatGPT / Claude / Gemini] but can't find the toggle. I'm on [web / desktop / mobile] with a [Free / Plus / Pro] plan. Where do I look?

Step 11: MCP Connections (Optional)

What: Connect your AI platform to external tools and data sources using MCP (Model Context Protocol) or platform-specific integrations.

Claude supports MCP connections across Claude.ai, Claude Desktop, and Cowork.

Claude.ai (web): Connect remote MCP servers and 50+ built-in connectors (Slack, Notion, Google Drive, etc.).

  1. Go to Settings → Connectors
  2. Browse the connector directory or click Add custom connector to enter a remote MCP server URL
  3. Enable connectors per conversation via the + button → Connectors

Claude Desktop: Supports both the connectors above and local MCP servers running on your machine.

  1. Install Claude Desktop if you haven't already
  2. Connect the Hands-on AI Cookbook MCP server for course reference material:

MCP Server Connection Guide

Cowork: Accesses your connectors, local MCP servers, and file system automatically. No extra setup needed beyond what you've configured in Claude Desktop.

Official docs:

ChatGPT connects to external tools through Connected Apps (plugins and integrations).

  1. Click your profile picture → Settings → Connected apps
  2. Browse available integrations (Google Drive, Notion, Zapier, etc.)
  3. Click Connect on the apps you use

Official docs: OpenAI Help — Apps in ChatGPT

Gemini connects to Google services and third-party tools through Extensions.

  1. Go to Settings → Extensions
  2. Enable the extensions you want (Google Workspace, Maps, YouTube, Flights, Hotels)
  3. Some extensions are on by default for Gemini Advanced users

Official docs: Gemini Help — Extensions

  • I've connected at least one external tool or MCP server (optional)
Stuck? Ask AI for help

I'm trying to connect [tool name] to [ChatGPT / Claude / Gemini] and running into this issue: [describe what's happening]. What should I check?

What's Next?

You're all set for the course. Here's what to do next:

  • Bookmark this page — come back to check off steps as you complete them
  • Start Session 1 — you'll use these tools right away

Having trouble with any step? Bring your questions to the first session — we'll troubleshoot together.

Back to course overview