Learning Objectives
- Confirm WinGet is available or repair it
- Install nvm-windows and Node.js 24.15.0
- Install Anaconda Navigator for Python 3.12 projects
- Install Codex globally with npm
Start With PowerShell
Use Windows PowerShell for the setup section. If an installer asks for permission, approve it. After installing nvm-windows or Anaconda, close PowerShell and open a new one so Windows reloads your PATH.
First check whether WinGet is already installed:
winget --version
If that prints a version number, continue. If Windows says winget is not recognized, try this repair command:
Add-AppxPackage -RegisterByFamilyName -MainPackage Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_8wekyb3d8bbwe
If that still does not work, open the Microsoft WinGet documentation and install App Installer from Microsoft Store:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/winget/
Exercises
- 1Run winget --version and confirm you can see a version number.
- 2Open a fresh PowerShell window before continuing.
Install nvm-windows and Node.js
nvm-windows lets us install the exact Node.js version the class uses. Try the WinGet install first:
winget install -e --id CoreyButler.NVMforWindows
If WinGet cannot install it, download nvm-setup.exe from the official releases page:
https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows/releases
After installing nvm-windows, close PowerShell, open a new PowerShell window, then install and activate Node.js 24.15.0:
nvm install 24.15.0
nvm use 24.15.0
node -v
npm -v
You should see Node and npm versions. If node -v fails, reopen PowerShell once more.
Exercises
- 1Confirm node -v prints v24.15.0.
- 2Confirm npm -v prints a version number.
Install Anaconda Navigator
Anaconda gives Python students a friendly desktop launcher plus the conda environment tools we need for Python 3.12.
Recommended download page:
https://www.anaconda.com/download
Official Windows install guide:
https://www.anaconda.com/docs/getting-started/anaconda/install/windows-gui-install
If you prefer WinGet and it is working, you can try:
winget install -e --id Anaconda.Anaconda3
After installation, open Anaconda Navigator once to confirm it launches. Python-track students can also open Anaconda Prompt.
Exercises
- 1Launch Anaconda Navigator from the Start Menu.
- 2Python-track students should open Anaconda Prompt and run conda --version.
Install Codex
Codex is the coding agent we will use to generate, run, debug, and improve the game project.
Install it globally with npm:
npm install -g @openai/codex
Start it with:
codex
Sign in when prompted. If the instructor also wants to show Claude Code, install it after Node is working:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Official Codex install reference:
https://github.com/openai/codex
Exercises
- 1Run codex and reach the sign-in or prompt screen.
- 2Create a folder named alien-shooter-workshop for the class project.