Install on your device (macOS, Linux, Windows)
Read-focused track—use any modern browser and an editor for notes and diagrams.
macOS
- Browser: Safari or Chrome. Editor: VS Code (
brew install --cask visual-studio-code).
Linux
- Browser: Firefox/Chromium. Editor: VS Code or distro package manager.
Windows
- Browser: Edge/Chrome. Editor: VS Code (
winget install Microsoft.VisualStudioCode).
Verify: You can take notes and complete MCQs on this site.
Your editor is where you read, write, and debug code for hours. Any modern option beats fighting an outdated tool.
Strong defaults
- VS Code — extensions, integrated terminal, Git UI.
- IntelliJ IDEA / WebStorm — excellent Java/Kotlin/JS refactorings.
- Vim/Neovim — modal editing; steep curve, high ceiling.
Minimum setup
- Install the editor for your OS (see install section on this lesson).
- Enable format on save and bracket pair colorization.
- Install language extensions as you open tracks (PHP, Python, Rust, …).
Self-check
- Which editor will you use for the next 30 days?
- How do you open an integrated terminal in that editor?
Interview prep
- Why open the repository folder instead of loose files?
Tools expect a project root for search, lint, imports, and Git—scattered files break relative paths and hide diagnostics.
- What does an LSP provide in editors like VS Code?
Language servers power go-to-definition, hover types, and diagnostics across many languages through a shared protocol.