What to Install Before You Start

7 free tools that every programming journey starts with. Check them off as you install them — progress is tracked while you're on the page.

Install progress0 / 7

Step 1

Google Chrome browser

The core development tool — built-in DevTools for debugging HTML, CSS, and JavaScript right on the page.

Needed from lesson 1

Step 2

Visual Studio Code

A free code editor that's become the industry standard — syntax highlighting, autocomplete, and a built-in terminal.

Needed from lesson 1

Step 3

VS Code extensions

Live Server (instant page preview in the browser), Prettier (automatic code formatting) — save hours of routine work.

Needed from lesson 2

Step 4

Node.js

Lets you run JavaScript outside the browser — you'll need it later, when moving to backend work and using packages (npm).

Needed when moving to frameworks

Step 5

Git

A version control system — keeps a history of code changes and lets you roll back if something breaks.

Needed for your first pet project

Step 6

A GitHub account

Cloud storage for your code — also where you'll publish the portfolio that employers will look at.

Needed for your portfolio

Step 7

The built-in terminal

Already inside VS Code — nothing extra to install. Basic commands (cd, ls, git) can be picked up in one evening.

Needed from lesson 1

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for any of these tools?

No — all 7 tools on this list are completely free for personal use, including VS Code, Node.js, Git, and a GitHub account.

Can I learn to code without installing anything?

Partly — a browser is already on every computer, and the first HTML/CSS/JS lessons can be done even without a code editor. But for comfortable work, installing VS Code and the rest takes about 20 minutes.

Does this toolkit work on Windows, macOS, and Linux?

Yes — every tool listed is cross-platform and works the same way on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Tools ready — time to write some code

The free JavaScript course teaches you to use every one of these tools in practice from the very first lesson — not abstractly, but on real tasks.

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