AINative Holiday Builder Class: Setup Guide & What to Expect

# AINative Holiday Builder Class: Setup Guide & What to Expect We're excited to welcome you to the **AINative Holiday Builder Class** at D20 Pizza in Santa Cruz! This hands-on workshop will teach you how to build AI-powered applications using AINative's platform—even if you've never coded before. To ensure you get the most out of our session, please complete these setup steps before arriving. The entire process takes about 20-30 minutes, and we've made the instructions super beginner-friendly! ## Event Details | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Date** 📅 | Friday, December 19, 2025 | | **Class Time** ⏰ | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | | **Coworking** 💻 | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM (open session) | | **Location** 📍 | D20 Pizza, 1520 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | | **Cost** 💰 | **FREE!** ✅ | | **GitHub Repo** 🔗 | [santa-cruz-builder-class-2025](https://github.com/AINative-Studio/santa-cruz-builder-class-2025) | ## What You'll Need | Requirement | Status | |-------------|--------| | A laptop (Mac, Windows, or Linux - any will work!) | ☐ | | A code editor (IDE) installed (see Step 1) | ☐ | | An AI coding assistant in your editor (see Step 2) | ☐ | | An AINative account with API key (see Step 3) | ☐ | | A good attitude and curiosity! | ☐ | **Don't worry about:** Knowing how to program or having any prior coding experience. The AI assistant will help you write the code! --- ## Step 1: Install a Code Editor (IDE) - 10 minutes A code editor (also called an IDE) is where you'll write and run your code. Choose ONE of these options: ### Code Editor Options | Editor | Best For | Download Link | Notes | |--------|----------|---------------|-------| | **VS Code** ⭐ | Beginners | [code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com) | Free, beginner-friendly, made by Microsoft | | **Cursor** 🤖 | AI-first coding | [cursor.sh](https://cursor.sh) | Built specifically for AI-assisted coding | | **Windsurf** ⚡ | Alternative AI editor | [codeium.com/windsurf](https://codeium.com/windsurf) | Another AI-powered option | ### Option A: VS Code (Recommended for Beginners) **What it is:** A free, beginner-friendly code editor made by Microsoft. **How to install:** 1. Go to: **https://code.visualstudio.com** 2. Click the big **"Download"** button (it will automatically detect your OS) 3. Once downloaded, open the installer file: - **Mac:** Open the `.dmg` file, drag VS Code to your Applications folder - **Windows:** Run the `.exe` file, click "Next" through the installer 4. Open VS Code to make sure it works 5. You should see a welcome screen - you're done! ### Option B: Cursor (AI-First Editor) **What it is:** A code editor built specifically for AI-assisted coding (based on VS Code). **How to install:** 1. Go to: **https://cursor.sh** 2. Click **"Download"** 3. Install just like VS Code above 4. Open Cursor to make sure it works ### Option C: Windsurf by Codeium **What it is:** Another AI-powered code editor option. **How to install:** 1. Go to: **https://codeium.com/windsurf** 2. Click **"Download"** 3. Follow the installation steps 4. Open to verify it works **Checkpoint:** Can you open your code editor and see a window where you could type? If yes, move to Step 2! --- ## Step 2: Install an AI Coding Assistant - 10 minutes Now let's add an AI assistant to your code editor. This is what will help you write code during the class! Choose ONE option: ### AI Assistant Options | Assistant | Cost | Best For | Setup Complexity | |-----------|------|----------|------------------| | **Claude Code** ⭐ | Requires API key | Terminal-based coding | Medium (requires Node.js) | | **GitHub Copilot** 💼 | Free trial/Paid | VSCode integration | Easy | | **Codeium** 🆓 | Free | VSCode extension | Easy | ### Option A: Claude Code (Recommended) **What it is:** Anthropic's AI coding assistant that runs in your terminal. **How to install:** 1. Open your code editor (VS Code or Cursor) 2. Open the Terminal inside your editor: - **Mac:** Press `Cmd + ` ` (the key below Escape) - **Windows:** Press `Ctrl + ` ` - Or go to menu: **View → Terminal** 3. You should see a command line at the bottom of your screen 4. Type this command and press Enter: ```bash npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code ``` **Don't have npm?** If you see an error, you need Node.js first: - Go to: **https://nodejs.org** - Download the **LTS** version (the green button) - Install it, then try the command above again 5. Once installed, type this to verify: ```bash claude --version ``` You should see a version number! 6. To use Claude Code, you'll need an API key from Anthropic: - Go to: **https://console.anthropic.com** - Create an account - Go to API Keys and create one - When you run `claude` for the first time, it will ask for this key ### Option B: GitHub Copilot (in VS Code) **What it is:** Microsoft/GitHub's AI coding assistant. **How to install:** 1. Open VS Code 2. Click the **Extensions** icon on the left sidebar (looks like 4 squares) 3. Search for **"GitHub Copilot"** 4. Click **"Install"** on the GitHub Copilot extension 5. You'll need to sign in with a GitHub account 6. There's a free trial available, or it's free for students! ### Option C: Codeium (Free, in VS Code) **What it is:** A free AI coding assistant. **How to install:** 1. Open VS Code 2. Click the **Extensions** icon on the left sidebar 3. Search for **"Codeium"** 4. Click **"Install"** 5. Create a free account when prompted 6. You're ready to go! **Checkpoint:** Can you access your AI assistant in your code editor? Try asking it a simple question like "How do I create a new file?" If it responds, you're ready! --- ## Step 3: Create Your AINative Account & API Key - 5 minutes Now let's set up your AINative account so you can access our platform during the class. ### 3a. Register on AINative 1. Go to: **https://ainative.studio** 2. Click **"Sign Up"** or **"Get Started"** in the top right 3. Fill in your information: - Email address - Password (at least 8 characters, include a number and special character) - Your name 4. Click **"Create Account"** 5. Check your email and click the verification link 6. Log in to your new account ### 3b. Create Your API Key This is the "password" that lets your app talk to AINative. 1. Once logged in, click on your **profile icon** (top right corner) 2. Go to **"Developer Settings"** or **"Settings → Developer"** 3. Find the **"API Keys"** section 4. Click **"Create New API Key"** or **"Generate API Key"** 5. Give it a name like: `Holiday Builder Class` 6. Click **"Create"** 7. **IMPORTANT:** Copy the API key immediately and save it somewhere safe! - It looks something like: `sk-abc123xyz789...` - You won't be able to see it again after you close the window! ### 3c. Create a Project (for ZeroDB) 1. While still logged in, go to the **Dashboard** 2. Click **"Create New Project"** or **"+ New Project"** 3. Name it: `Holiday Builder Project` 4. Click **"Create"** 5. Note down your **Project ID** (it looks like: `550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000`) **Write down these credentials - you'll need them tomorrow!** --- ## What to Expect at the Class ### Class Schedule | Time | Activity | What You'll Learn | |------|----------|-------------------| | ☕ **10:00 AM** | Welcome & Setup Check | Make sure everyone's ready | | 🧠 **10:10 AM** | Part 1: AI Kit | Adding AI to Apps | | 🤖 **10:40 AM** | Part 2: Agent APIs | Smart Workflows | | ☕ **11:15 AM** | Quick Coffee Break | Recharge & network | | 💾 **11:20 AM** | Part 3: ZeroDB | Giving AI Memory | | 🎉 **11:50 AM** | Q&A & What's Next | Wrap up & resources | ### After the class (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM): - Open coworking - Continue building your app - Network with fellow builders - Grab some amazing D20 avocado toast! --- ## Pre-Class Checklist - [ ] I installed a code editor (VS Code, Cursor, or Windsurf) - [ ] I can open my code editor and see where to type code - [ ] I installed an AI coding assistant (Claude Code, Copilot, or Codeium) - [ ] I can ask my AI assistant questions and get responses - [ ] I created an account at ainative.studio - [ ] I created an API key in Developer Settings - [ ] I created a project and noted my Project ID - [ ] I saved all my credentials somewhere safe **If you got stuck anywhere, don't worry!** Just arrive 10-15 minutes early and we'll help you get set up. --- ## One More Thing... During the class, we'll give you a **special starter prompt** that teaches your AI assistant everything about AINative. This means even if you've never coded before, your AI will guide you through building a real application! Just come ready with your setup complete, and we'll handle the rest. --- ## Resources | Resource | Link | |----------|------| | **Event Repo** 📦 | [github.com/AINative-Studio/santa-cruz-builder-class-2025](https://github.com/AINative-Studio/santa-cruz-builder-class-2025) | | **AINative Platform** 🚀 | [ainative.studio](https://ainative.studio) | | **ZeroDB** 💾 | [zerodb.ainative.studio](https://zerodb.ainative.studio) | | **API Docs** 📖 | [api.ainative.studio/docs](https://api.ainative.studio/docs) | --- See you at **D20 Pizza** (1520 Mission St, Santa Cruz)! Can't wait to build something amazing with you. Happy holidays from **The AINative Team**! P.S. - D20 has amazing coffee and their avocado toast on sourdough is legendary. Just saying!

AINative Holiday Builder Class: Setup Guide & What to Expect

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