Step 1
Install a code editor
What you're about to do
Install the program you'll use to view and edit your app's files.
Why it matters
Code lives in text files. A code editor is just a text editor optimized for code — like Microsoft Word but for app files.
What you'll need
A computer (Mac or Windows). 10 minutes.
Pick your editor
You have two good options. Both are free.
Option 1 (recommended for most people): Cursor
Cursor is a code editor with AI built into it. You can chat with the AI in a panel right next to your code, and it can read and edit your files directly. The free version is enough to get through this whole guide and start building your product.
Later on, if you find yourself using the AI heavily, Cursor charges $20/month for unlimited use. You're not committed to anything by installing it.
Option 2: VS Code
VS Code is also a free code editor, but it doesn't have AI built in. You'd use it alongside a browser tab with Claude.ai or ChatGPT — you copy code into the chat, get help, paste fixes back into VS Code. Slower workflow than Cursor, but completely free with no usage caps you'll hit.
Which one should you pick?
If you're not sure: pick Cursor. It's the smoother experience and the free tier handles this whole guide.
If you want to never pay for anything: pick VS Code. You'll do more copying and pasting, but you won't hit limits.
The rest of this guide will work with either. We'll mention any differences when they matter.
Install Cursor (if you picked it)
- Visit cursor.com
- Click the Download for Mac button (it should detect your computer automatically)
- When the
.dmgfile downloads, double-click it - Drag the Cursor icon into your Applications folder
- Open Cursor from your Applications folder (or use Spotlight: press Cmd+Space, type “Cursor”, press Enter)
- The first time you open it, your Mac may ask if you really want to open a program from the internet — click Open
Install VS Code (if you picked it)
- Visit code.visualstudio.com
- Click Download for macOS
- When the
.zipfile downloads, double-click it to unzip - Drag the Visual Studio Code icon into your Applications folder
- Open VS Code from Applications (or Spotlight: Cmd+Space, type “Visual Studio Code”)
How to verify it worked
After install, your editor should open to a welcome screen. You'll see something like:
- A sidebar on the left (this will show your files once you have a project open)
- A main area in the middle (this will show file contents)
- Menus at the top
If you see that, you're good.
What to do if something went wrong▾
Problem: Download didn't start.
Try a different browser. Sometimes Safari or older versions of Chrome have issues with these downloads.
Problem: Installer won't open on Mac.
Right-click the installer file and choose “Open” instead of double-clicking. Your Mac sometimes blocks programs from unknown developers — right-click bypasses that.
Problem: Windows shows a security warning.
Click “More info” → “Run anyway.” Microsoft sometimes flags new programs from small developers. Both Cursor and VS Code are safe — VS Code is made by Microsoft itself.
Problem: It opens but looks confusing.
That's expected. Don't try to figure it out yet — we'll use it together in later steps. Just leave it open and move on.
If you're stuck, click Support at the top of this page.