# Local development environment

Setting up a local development environment gives you full control and offline capabilities. You'll need Node.js, npm, and a code editor installed on your machine.

Alternative: Cloud development

You can [develop in GitHub Codespaces](/developer-guide/getting-started/github-codespaces.md) using VS Code in your browser - no local installation required.

## Prerequisites[​](#prerequisites "Direct link to Prerequisites")

### Install Node.js and npm[​](#install-nodejs-and-npm "Direct link to Install Node.js and npm")

**Recommended version:** Node.js v22.13.0 or later

**Option 1: Direct download** Download Node.js from <https://nodejs.org> (npm is included automatically)

**Option 2: Using Node Version Manager (recommended)** [NVM](https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm) allows you to install and switch between Node.js versions easily:

```
# Install specific Node.js version
nvm install 22.13.0
nvm use 22.13.0

# Verify installation
node --version
npm --version
```

### Install a code editor[​](#install-a-code-editor "Direct link to Install a code editor")

**Recommended:** [VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com) with Comind.work extensions

**Alternatives:** Cursor, WindSurf, or other VS Code-based editors that support extensions

## Repository setup[​](#repository-setup "Direct link to Repository setup")

### Step 1: Clone your repository[​](#step-1-clone-your-repository "Direct link to Step 1: Clone your repository")

Clone your organization's repository (you should have received access from your admin):

```
git clone https://github.com/comindwork/your-org.git
cd your-org
```

Authentication issues?

If you encounter GitHub authentication problems:

* Check status: `gh auth status`
* Login: `gh auth login`

### Step 2: Open in VS Code[​](#step-2-open-in-vs-code "Direct link to Step 2: Open in VS Code")

1. Open the repository folder in VS Code
2. **Important:** Accept the prompt to install recommended extensions

### Step 3: Verify your setup[​](#step-3-verify-your-setup "Direct link to Step 3: Verify your setup")

Test that everything works by running these commands in the VS Code Terminal:

```
# Copy sample environment variables
cp .config/dev.env.sample .config/dev.env

# Install dependencies and run tests
npm install
npm test
```

If all commands succeed, you're ready to start developing Comind.work apps!

## Claude Code Desktop[​](#claude-code-desktop "Direct link to Claude Code Desktop")

If you prefer a desktop AI assistant - or if the Claude extension does not work reliably in [GitHub Codespaces](/developer-guide/getting-started/github-codespaces.md) - you can use Claude Code Desktop with your local clone.

### Setup[​](#setup "Direct link to Setup")

1. Install [Claude Code Desktop](https://claude.ai/download) and sign in with your Claude account

2. Open your cloned repository folder in Claude Code Desktop

3. Load the Comind.work development skill by attaching it as a file reference:

   <!-- -->

   * Click the `@` button in the chat input
   * Navigate to the skill file your admin provided (typically a `.md` file)
   * Select it to attach

Skill via plugins

If plugins are available in your Claude Code Desktop version, use `/plugins` to install the comind-dev marketplace plugin instead of manually attaching the skill file. This is the same flow as in [Codespaces](/developer-guide/getting-started/github-codespaces.md#install-the-comindwork-development-skill).

### Verify[​](#verify "Direct link to Verify")

Ask Claude to describe one of the apps in your repository. If it correctly lists the app's fields, actions, and layout structure, the skill is active.

### When to use Desktop vs Codespaces[​](#when-to-use-desktop-vs-codespaces "Direct link to When to use Desktop vs Codespaces")

| Scenario                                | Recommended                    |
| --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| Quick start, no local install           | Codespaces                     |
| Claude extension glitches in Codespaces | Desktop with local clone       |
| Offline or low-bandwidth work           | Desktop with local clone       |
| Full IDE with custom extensions         | VS Code / Cursor + local clone |

## Next steps[​](#next-steps "Direct link to Next steps")

✅ **Setup complete!** Now you should:

* [Configure environment variables](/developer-guide/getting-started/environment-variables.md) for your organization
* [Start developing apps](/developer-guide/getting-started/start-app-development.md)