AI Agent Hands-on Environment Setup

This module prepares three things you need to work with an AI agent on a Windows 11 laptop: install and configure the ChatGPT desktop app (Chat, ChatGPT Work, and Codex); install VS Code with the matching extensions; and register a personal GitHub account and submit a GitHub Education application. The three parts are independent — work through them at your own pace, then check off all three at the end.

Learning Objectives

After this module, participants can:

• Install and sign in to the ChatGPT desktop app, and choose Chat, ChatGPT Work, or Codex for the task at hand.
• Have Codex install VS Code, plus the Codex, GitHub Copilot, and Claude Code extensions, with one prompt, so the AI agent can read, write, and review code directly in the editor.
• Have Codex install syntax highlighting for Python, JavaScript, and HTML in VS Code, viewing and simple editing for Markdown, CSV, and JSON, plus direct previews for MS Office files (docx/xlsx/pptx), without installing each one by hand or switching to another app to view course material.
• Register a personal GitHub account and submit a GitHub Education (teacher / Global Campus) verification application.
• Use the checklist to verify all three parts are set up and troubleshoot common issues.

Prerequisites

Minimum Computer Requirements

This module only needs VS Code, the ChatGPT desktop app, and a browser open at the same time, so the requirements are lighter than a full developer toolchain. The "Recommended" column marks the threshold for a smoother experience.

8 GB of RAM is enough to complete every task in this module, but 16 GB is noticeably smoother once VS Code, a browser, and the ChatGPT desktop app are all open together.

Overview of the Three Parts

The three things this module covers are independent of each other — work through them in whatever order suits you:

Part 1: Install and Configure the ChatGPT App (Chat / Work / Codex)

The ChatGPT desktop app is the shared entry point on Windows for Chat, ChatGPT Work, and Codex.

This is the only piece of software in this module you install by hand: there's no AI agent yet to do it for you. Once it's installed and signed in, every install starting with Part 2 is handled by Codex instead.

After signing in, pick the right interface for the task:

• Use Chat for quick questions.
• Select ChatGPT, then Work, for research, documents, or a multi-step, reviewable outcome.
• Select Codex from the product menu for a course project, code, commands, and diffs.

⚠️ Before sending the first task in Codex, choose Ask for approval; don't enable Full access by default. That way you can review what the agent intends to do and what it changed at every step, before deciding whether to approve it.

Check: run the guided "Hello, AI Agent" task (ask Codex to create a hello.txt file in the project folder) to confirm the AI agent can receive instructions, produce a file, and report back.

Part 2: VS Code and Extensions

VS Code is the main window for working with the AI agent later. You don't need to install any of this by hand — hand it to the Codex you set up in Part 1 instead: open a new Codex session, paste the prompt below, and review and approve each command it proposes.

Please install a free program called Visual Studio Code.

Once that's installed, please also add some helpful features so I can:
1. Use AI agent tools like Codex, GitHub Copilot, and Claude Code
2. View, and also do simple editing of, HTML, Markdown, CSV, and JSON files, plus Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents
3. Have common programming languages (like Python, JavaScript, HTML) automatically color-highlight keywords and other important text when I'm reading them

Before starting each step, tell me in plain terms what you're about to do and wait for me to say "okay" or "go ahead" before continuing. When everything is finished, give me a clear list of what succeeded and what didn't.

What's described above is actually delivered by installing the following:

⚠️ Extension IDs change as the Marketplace is updated. If Codex reports that an ID failed or wasn't found, have it search the Marketplace for the current name and ID before retrying — especially Claude Code, CSV, and the Office document preview extension, which are newer or less mainstream picks.

Check: open the Extensions panel and confirm the extensions above are installed and enabled; then open a sample .py, .md, .html, .csv, .json, and a .docx or .xlsx file, and confirm syntax highlighting or the preview renders correctly.

Alternatives: More AI Agent Options

This workshop uses the ChatGPT app/Codex as its primary path, but two alternatives may suit different needs: Google Antigravity, and GitHub Copilot Pro for people who qualify through GitHub Education. Features, plans, and availability can change, so check the current official information before installing or enabling either option.

Google Antigravity

Google Antigravity and Antigravity IDE are agent-first products for developers, with official Windows downloads available. If you try this path, still begin with a small task: create a test file, inspect the intended actions and changes, and only then allow execution.

⚠️ Terminal and file-change review settings differ between agent tools. At first, inspect every command and change before approving it, then loosen permissions gradually.

Check: with a setting that requires human review, ask the agent to create hello.txt. Confirm that it receives the request, proposes actions, creates the file, and reports the result.

GitHub Copilot (through GitHub Education)

After a teacher is verified through GitHub Education, they may qualify for free GitHub Copilot Pro under GitHub's current eligibility rules. Eligibility and plans are re-evaluated, so after approval, check the Copilot settings page and finish activation there.

Check: after the education eligibility is approved, confirm the available entitlement in GitHub Copilot settings, then complete one Copilot Chat prompt or code change in VS Code.

Part 3: Apply for a GitHub Account and GitHub Education

A GitHub account is the foundation for managing projects and files in later modules; GitHub Education lets a verified teacher unlock education-tier benefits for tools like Copilot.

GitHub's current teacher application requires a verifiable school-issued email address and proof of school affiliation. Prepare both before applying.

Check: confirm you're signed in at github.com; confirm the GitHub Education application has been submitted (the page shows "Application submitted", or already shows the approved benefits page).

Hands-on Activities

Once all three parts are set up, run through the checklist below for a final check.