Prerequisites

Before diving into AI tools and agents, you'll want a few basics in place. This page covers the three foundations that most tools in this cookbook build on: the command line, Node.js/npm, and Docker.

If you're already comfortable with all three, skip ahead to Claude.

1. The Command Line

Most developer tools — including Claude Code, OpenCode, and NanoClaw — run in a terminal. If you've never used the command line before, this short video will get you comfortable with the basics.

Command Line Basics

Navigate directories, run commands, and understand what a terminal is for.

What you'll learn:

Opening a terminal on Mac, Windows (WSL), or Linux
Navigating directories with cd, ls, pwd
Running commands and reading output
Understanding file paths

On Windows, we recommend using WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) — it gives you a proper Linux terminal and is required for most dev tools covered in this cookbook. Install it from the Microsoft Store.

2. Node.js and npm

Many tools in this cookbook — including Claude Code and the Agent Cookbook itself — are built on Node.js. npm is Node's package manager, used to install tools with a single command.

Node.js and npm Basics

Install Node.js, understand npm, and run your first JavaScript tool.

What you'll learn:

Installing Node.js via nvm (the recommended way)
What npm install does and where packages go
Running npm scripts (npm run build, npm start)
Understanding package.json

Quick check — you're ready when:

node --version   # should print v18 or higher
npm --version    # should print 9 or higher

3. Docker Desktop

Docker lets you run software in isolated containers — no installation conflicts, no "works on my machine" problems. NanoClaw and OpenClaw both support Docker deployment, and it's the standard way to run self-hosted agents locally or on your own server.

Docker Desktop Basics

Install Docker, understand containers vs images, and run your first container.

What you'll learn:

Installing Docker Desktop on Mac or Windows
The difference between an image and a container
Running a container with docker run
Using docker ps to see what's running
Stopping and removing containers

Quick check — you're ready when:

docker --version   # should print 24 or higher
docker run hello-world   # should print a success message

You don't need Docker to use Claude, Claude Code, Cursor, or Scout — Scout is fully web-based with no local installation required. Docker is only needed if you want to run NanoClaw or OpenClaw in an isolated container on your own machine or server.

What's next?

Once you're comfortable with these three, pick the tool that matches what you want to do:

I want to…	Start with
Chat with an AI model	Claude
Get AI help writing code	Cursor
Delegate whole coding tasks	Claude Code
Build and deploy an agent	Scout
Run a lightweight local agent	NanoClaw

Overview Claude