# Tools You Need

## Tools You Need

**Skill level:** Complete beginner · **Time:** 15 minutes, once

You need three free tools. You may already have some of them.

### 1. A Code Editor
A code editor is a text editor made for files like Ecozen's. It colors the syntax, shows mistakes, and has a built-in terminal.

- **[VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/)** (free, Windows, macOS, Linux) is a good default.
- **AI editors** such as [Cursor](https://cursor.com/) or [Windsurf](https://windsurf.com/) work the same way and add an AI assistant. When you open the theme folder, they can read Ecozen's AI rules (`AGENTS.md`, and each editor's own rules file). See [AI Overview](/ecozen/ai-customization/ai-overview/) for other tools.

When you open the Ecozen folder in VS Code, it offers to install the extensions Ecozen recommends (Astro, TOML, and Tailwind CSS). Accept: they highlight mistakes as you type.

### 2. Node.js
Install the **LTS** version from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org/en/download/). Ecozen needs version 22.23.4 or later. See [Installation](/ecozen/getting-started/installation/).

### 3. Git (Recommended)
Git saves versions of your project so you can always go back. You don't have to use it, but it makes every change safe to try. Install it from [git-scm.com](https://git-scm.com/downloads), then use it from the **Source Control** panel in VS Code (VS Code offers to download git if it isn't installed).

### Using The Terminal
The terminal is where you type commands like `npm run dev`. You only need a handful:

<Steps>

1. In VS Code, open the Ecozen folder (**File → Open Folder**).

2. Open the terminal: **Terminal → New Terminal**. It opens in the project folder, which is what you want.

3. Type a command and press <kbd>Enter</kbd>:

   ```bash
   npm ci            # once, after downloading the theme
   npm run dev       # start the local site
   ```

4. To stop a running command, click in the terminal and press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>C</kbd>.

</Steps>

<Aside type="tip" title="Is my terminal in the right folder?">
  Type `ls` (macOS and Linux) or `dir` (Windows) and press Enter. You should see
  `package.json` in the list. If not, open the Ecozen folder in VS Code and open
  a new terminal.
</Aside>

### Your First Checkpoint
Before you change anything, save the untouched theme as your first version:

```bash
git init
git add .
git commit -m "Ecozen as downloaded"
```

Or, in VS Code: **Source Control → Initialize Repository**, type a message, and click **Commit**. Now you can always compare with, or go back to, the original. [Editing Safely](/ecozen/beginner/editing-safely/) shows how.