Pineflow · Setup

types commandsrunsgit pushscan the QRClaude CodeVS CodeNode.jsGitExpoGitHubYour phone

Set up

Setup

Seven short steps, from an empty computer to your first app on your phone.

45 min

VS Code

Official VS Code documentation ↗

VS Code is the app you build in: your files, your code and a terminal in one window. Already use Cursor, Windsurf or Zed? The steps are almost the same.

  1. Install VS Code

    Step 1 of 7
    1. 1
      Download VS Code ↗, install it and open it.
    2. 2
      Make a folder called apps on your Desktop.
    3. 3
      Open it in VS Code: File > Open Folder, then pick apps.

    Done when VS Code is open on your apps folder.

    Stuck? Watch someone do this stepInstall VS Code on Windows, macOS and LinuxSkillRecall

The terminal

Official VS Code terminal docs ↗

The terminal is where you type commands. Type one, press Enter, and it answers. Mac calls it Terminal, Windows calls it PowerShell.

Four commands to find your way
pwd        # where am I?
ls         # what's in this folder? (dir also works on Windows)
cd apps    # go into the folder apps
cd ..      # go back up one folder

  1. Open the terminal

    Step 2 of 7
    1. 1
      Open it: Terminal > New Terminal, at the bottom.
      VS Code with the TERMINAL tab open at the bottom, running PowerShell
    2. 2
      Check it works:pwd

      ✓ It prints your apps folder. The terminal works.

    Done when The terminal at the bottom prints your apps folder.

    Stuck? Watch someone do this stepHow to open the terminal in VS CodeThe Code City

Git

Official Git documentation ↗

Git saves snapshots of your project, like save points in a game. Each snapshot is a commit, and your folder with all its snapshots is a repo.

  1. Install Git

    Step 3 of 7
    1. 1
      Install it in the terminal:Macxcode-select --installWindowswinget install --id Git.Git -e
    2. 2
      Say yes. Mac: click Install. Windows: type Y and press Enter.
    3. 3
      Windows says winget is not recognized? Use the Git installer ↗ instead.
    4. 4
      Open a fresh terminal: bin icon, then Terminal > New Terminal.
    5. 5
      Check it works:git --version

      ✓ git version 2.x. Git is installed.

    Done when git --version prints a version number.

    Stuck? Watch someone do this stepHow to install Git on Mac and WindowsThe Common Coder

Node.js

Official Node.js documentation ↗

Node.js runs JavaScript on your computer. You never open it, but Expo and your agent need it. It comes with npm, which installs packages.

  1. Install Node.js

    Step 4 of 7
    1. 1
      Mac: download the LTS installer ↗ and run it.
    2. 2
      Windows:winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS
    3. 3
      Open a fresh terminal so it finds Node.
    4. 4
      Check it works:node -v

      ✓ v20 or higher. Node is installed.

    Done when node -v prints v20 or higher.

    Stuck? Watch someone do this stepHow to install Node.js (2026)DevWithSameer

Claude Code

Official Claude Code documentation ↗

Claude Code is your AI agent. It works in your project: it reads files, edits code and checks the result. You decide, it types.

  1. Install Claude Code

    Step 5 of 7
    1. 1
      Open Extensions in VS Code: Ctrl + Shift + X (Mac: Cmd + Shift + X).
    2. 2
      Search Claude Code and install the one by Anthropic.
      VS Code Extensions with Claude Code for VS Code by Anthropic marked
    3. 3
      Open it with the Claude icon at the top right.
    4. 4
      Log in with your Claude account when it asks. You need a paid plan: Pro ($20 a month) is enough to start.
    5. 5
      Know your limit. Every plan has a usage limit that resets after a few hours, and long build days on Pro often reach it. Type /usage to see what's left. Hitting it most days? That's when Max ($100 a month) pays off.
    6. 6
      Check it works: ask it what's in your folder.

      ✓ It answers in the panel. Your agent is ready.

    Done when Claude Code answers in its panel.

    Stuck? Watch someone do this stepHow to install the Claude Code extension in VS CodeJamie Nudelman

Expo

Official Expo documentation ↗

Expo turns your code into an iPhone and Android app. The free Expo Go app shows it on your phone while you build.

  1. Start your app

    Step 6 of 7
    1. 1
      Make a free Expo account at expo.dev ↗. You'll use it later to build your app for the stores.
    2. 2
      Get Expo Go ↗ on your phone, free in both app stores, and log in with the same account.
    3. 3
      Create your app and start it. Asked Ok to proceed? Press Enter.
      Terminal
      npx create-expo-app@latest my-app
cd my-app
npx expo start
    4. 4
      Scan the QR code. iPhone: with the camera. Android: in Expo Go.
    5. 5
      Check it works: your app opens on your phone.
    6. 6
      Look in the folder: Expo already wrote AGENTS.md and CLAUDE.md, the files your agent reads first, and a .claude folder that turns on Expo's plugin for Claude Code. You'll add to them in Tools and rules.

    Done when Your app is open on your phone.

    Stuck? Watch someone do this stepHow to start your first Expo project in 2 minutesExpo

GitHub

Official GitHub documentation ↗

GitHub keeps your snapshots online. Free, private if you want, and your work survives a broken laptop.

  1. Put it on GitHub

    Step 7 of 7
    1. 1
      Create a free GitHub account ↗.
    2. 2
      Make a new repository called my-app (you can rename it later): the + at the top right. Leave every box unticked.
      GitHub menu under the plus button with New repository marked
    3. 3
      Copy the URL it shows.
    4. 4
      Stop the app with Ctrl + C.
    5. 5
      Keep your secret keys off GitHub: open .gitignore in VS Code and add a line at the bottom that says .env. Expo's own list leaves it out, and later chapters keep keys there.
    6. 6
      Tell Git who you are, with your own name and email:
      Terminal
      git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"
    7. 7
      Save and upload, with your URL on the fourth line:
      Terminal
      git init
git add .
git commit -m "First commit"
git remote add origin https://github.com/you/my-app.git
git push -u origin HEAD
    8. 8
      Sign in when VS Code asks.
    9. 9
      Check it works:git remote -v

      ✓ Two lines with github.com/you/my-app. You're connected.

    10. 10
      Open my-app in VS Code: File > Open Folder, then pick my-app. From here on, you and Claude Code work in this folder.

    Done when Your project is on GitHub.

    Stuck? Watch someone do this stepUpload a project to GitHub from VS Code (2026)The Code City
    .gitignoreTemplate to fill in.env.exampleTemplate to fill inREADME.mdTemplate to fill in