> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.peoplebot.me/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# 1. Get comfortable with the terminal

> Know where to type commands and how to return to the right folder.

**Goal:** prepare for the practice exercises. This lesson assumes no experience with command-line tools.

## 1. Open the right kind of window

On **Windows**, open PowerShell from the Start menu. On **Ubuntu or another Linux desktop**, open the Terminal application.

A line such as `PS C:\Users\You>` or `you@computer:~$` is the prompt: the computer is ready for your next instruction. Do not copy the prompt itself. Paste the command, then press Enter.

Use only the block labeled for your operating system. When a block contains several commands, run them one line at a time and check the result before continuing.

## 2. Check Python and Git

Python runs PeopleBot. Git keeps the file history.

Windows PowerShell:

```powershell theme={null}
python --version
git --version
```

Linux:

```bash theme={null}
python3 --version
git --version
```

You should see version numbers. The public package requires **Python 3.11 or newer** and **Git 2.45 or newer**. For example, Python 3.12 and Git 2.51 meet those minimums.

If a command is not found, install the missing tool from the official [Python downloads](https://www.python.org/downloads/) or [Git downloads](https://git-scm.com/downloads/) page. Follow the instructions for your operating system, then reopen your terminal and check again. Stop here if the version requirements are not met.

## 3. Install PeopleBot in one folder

If you have already followed [installation](/guides/install), keep the folder you used there. Otherwise, make a folder called `PeopleBot-Lab`, download the four release assets into it, and follow that guide.

The guide creates a folder called `.venv`. Think of this as a separate toolbox for the tutorial's Python software. It avoids mixing the package with other Python projects. It is not a separate computer or a security boundary. [Python's explanation of virtual environments](https://docs.python.org/3/library/venv.html)

All subsequent lesson commands start in the folder containing `.venv`. On Windows, use File Explorer to open that folder, click the address bar, type `powershell`, and press Enter. On Linux, use your file manager's **Open in Terminal** action if available, or change to the folder with `cd` followed by its quoted full path.

If you use `cd`, replace the example path below with the path to your actual folder:

```text theme={null}
cd "FULL PATH TO YOUR TUTORIAL FOLDER"
```

The quotation marks matter when a folder name includes spaces. `cd` changes where commands run; it does not move your files.

## 4. Confirm that you are in the right place

Windows PowerShell:

```powershell theme={null}
Get-Location
Test-Path .\.venv\Scripts\python.exe
.\.venv\Scripts\python.exe -m peoplebot --help
```

`Test-Path` should return `True`. The final command should show PeopleBot's help.

Linux:

```bash theme={null}
pwd
ls ./.venv/bin/python
./.venv/bin/python -m peoplebot --help
```

`ls` should display the Python path rather than “No such file or directory.” The final command should show PeopleBot's help.

Here, `.` means “this folder.” The longer Python path tells the computer to use the tutorial's toolbox. You do not need to run an activation script.

## If you get stuck

* **The `.venv` Python cannot be found:** you may be in the wrong folder, or virtual-environment creation did not finish.
* **“No module named peoplebot”:** the package was not installed in the Python environment you are using. Return to the installation commands.
* **The terminal closes:** reopen the same tutorial folder and continue from there. Your saved files remain.

You are ready when `--help` lists `resolve-state`, `alpha-setup`, `alpha-adopt`, and `alpha-resume`. Next: [save two versions of a file](/tutorials/snapshots).