Exercise 1
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Your Complete Guide: Setting Up & Using Your Digital Toolkit (GitHub & Cursor)
Welcome! This guide walks you through setting up and using two powerful tools: GitHub and Cursor. We'll connect them so you can manage your projects efficiently right within Cursor. Think of this as building your personal "Digital Toolkit" for creating and collaborating. Our goal is the "easy button" – making this process smooth and fast. Remember the mindset: You are the boss. You direct these tools; they amplify your ability to innovate.
AI Course: Building Applications with AI (No Code)

See class details below map
Class: 10:00 AM Keller Building at UVU, room 302 - Orem. Want remote? DM me

Google Maps

Scott C. Keller Business Building · 800 W University Pkwy, Orem, UT 84058

★★★★★ · University

Map. The room is on the third floor. You can park in the employee lot circled in red for free on Saturdays. Then walk east to the Keller Building. Elevators are on the south side
Essential Facts: GitHub - Your Project's Command Center
What It Is
A web platform for storing project files, tracking every change (version control), and enabling teamwork.
GitHub Analogy
It's your project's cloud-synced, indestructible hard drive with a perfect memory. Every save (commit) is logged, making it safe to experiment and easy to collaborate.
Why Use It
Secure backup, complete project history, collaboration hub, professional showcase.
Essential Facts: Cursor - Your AI Co-Pilot for Creation
What It Is
An AI-powered workspace (IDE) helping you build code and prototypes rapidly from plain English descriptions.
Cursor Analogy
Your personal rapid prototyping factory with an AI apprentice. You provide instructions (prompts), and it instantly drafts code/visuals, letting you build and test ideas incredibly fast. This IDE is your weapon.
Why Use It
Speed up creation, lower technical barriers, explore ideas quickly, learn by observing AI output.
Setup Step 1: Create Your GitHub Account
Navigate
Open your web browser and go to https://github.com.
Sign Up
Click "Sign up". Enter your email, create a password, and choose a professional username. Complete the verification puzzle. Click "Create account".
Verify Email
Crucial Step! Check your email inbox immediately for a message from GitHub. Click the verification link or enter the code provided.
Initial Setup (Skip/Minimal)
Answer any setup questions briefly or skip them. Choose the Free plan.
First, you need a GitHub identity.
Goal: Create your free GitHub account.
Guided Tutorial:
Outcome: You have a verified GitHub account.
Setup Step 3: Create Your Cursor Account
Navigate
Go to the Cursor URL provided by your instructor:
Sign Up
Click "Sign Up" or "Get Started".
Choose Method
You can usually sign up with email/password or potentially link directly via GitHub/Google. Choose your preferred method.
Install/Launch
Cursor has a desktop app, download and install it. Otherwise, access the web application.
Log In
Log in using the account you just created.
First Screen you see for Cursor
  • cmd+I=Agent
  • cmd+E=Explorer Window
Setup Step 4: Create Project Repo for Cursor to GitHub
Follow these steps to link your local project to your GitHub repository:
Go to GitHub
Open your web browser and go to https://github.com. Log in to your GitHub account.
Create New Repository
  • Click the + icon in the top-right corner and select "New repository"
  • Give your repository a name (e.g., tank-game-project)
  • You can add an optional description
  • Choose "Public" or "Private"
  • IMPORTANT: Do NOT check any boxes under "Initialize this repository with:" (like README, .gitignore, or license). Leave them all unchecked
  • Click the "Create repository" button
Copy Repository URL
  • On the next page (which might say "Quick setup"), look for the HTTPS URL. It will look like https://github.com/YourUsername/YourRepositoryName.git
  • Click the copy button next to the URL
Add Remote in Cursor
  • Come back to Cursor
  • Tell me the URL you just copied. I will then run the command to link your local project to GitHub. (The command will look like git remote add origin <paste_your_url_here>)
Push Code to GitHub
  • After I confirm the remote is added, tell me to push the code. I will then run the command to upload your files. (The command will be git push -u origin master or git push -u origin main)
Let me know the URL from Step 3 when you're ready for Step 4.
Deploying GitHub Repository on Netlify
Starting from Netlify:
  1. Go to app.netlify.com and sign up/login
  1. Click "Add new site" → "Import an existing project"
  1. Select GitHub as your Git provider
  1. Authorize Netlify to access your GitHub repositories
  1. Select the repository you want to deploy
  1. Configure build settings:
  • Build command: (e.g., npm run build or leave blank for static sites)
  • Publish directory: (e.g., build, dist, or public)
  1. Click "Deploy site"
  1. Wait for deployment to complete (usually takes 1-2 minutes)
  1. Your site is now live at a random subdomain (yoursite.netlify.app)
  1. Optional: Change site name in Site settings → Site details → Change site name
GitHub Best Practices (Using Cursor Integration)

Protect Main Branch
Always branch before making changes
Commit Strategically
Frequent, atomic commits with clear messages
Stay Synchronized
Pull often, especially before pushing
Focused Pull Requests
One task per PR with clear descriptions
Commit Often: Use Cursor commit feature frequently for small, logical changes.
Clear Messages: Write descriptive commit messages directly in Cursor input field.
Atomic Commits: Stage and commit related changes together using Cursor staging tools.
Branch for Everything: Always use Cusror "Create Branch" feature before starting work. Protect main.
Focused PRs: Ensure changes pushed from Cursor for a PR address a single task. Write clear PR titles/descriptions when prompted by Cursor or GitHub.
Sync Regularly: Use Cusor "Pull" / "Sync" feature often, especially before pushing and after merges happen on GitHub.
Next Steps
Practice the Workflow
Make a change, create a branch, commit, push, and create a PR directly from Cursor.
Explore & Experiment
Try different features and build your confidence with the integrated tools.
Build Real Projects
Apply your new skills to create and manage actual development work.
You've now fully connected Cursor and GitHub! This integrated process is designed to be fast and keep you focused. Explore, experiment, and build!