Technical Requirements Explained
Building websites isn't rocket science, but you do need the right setup. Here's what actually matters when you're starting out — not the marketing fluff, just what works in practice.
Your Computer
You don't need a $3,000 machine. Most people already have what they need sitting on their desk.
- Any laptop from the last 5 years works fine — Mac, Windows, even Linux
- 4GB RAM is minimum, but 8GB makes life easier when you have multiple tabs open
- About 10GB free space for tools and projects (it adds up faster than you think)
- Decent internet connection for downloading packages and accessing documentation
Software You'll Need
Good news — everything important is free. No subscriptions required to get started.
- A code editor like Visual Studio Code (free and what most pros use)
- Modern web browser — Chrome, Firefox, or Edge all work great
- Git for version control (sounds fancy but you'll use it constantly)
- Node.js if you're going into JavaScript development
Internet Browser Setup
Browsers have built-in developer tools that you'll learn to love. They show you what's happening behind the scenes.
- Chrome DevTools or Firefox Developer Edition both excellent choices
- Learn the inspect element feature — you'll use it every single day
- Network tab helps debug loading issues
- Console shows errors and lets you test JavaScript on the fly
What You Really Need vs. Nice to Have
What About Mobile?
Can you learn on a tablet or phone? Technically yes, but it's like learning to drive in a golf cart. You can practice concepts, but real work needs a proper keyboard and screen.
- Tablets work for reading documentation and watching tutorials
- Phones are fine for quick code reviews or testing mobile layouts
- But actual coding? Get yourself a laptop or desktop
- The extra screen space saves your sanity when debugging
Ready to Start Building?
Our next program starts in September 2025. Check out what you'll learn and how we structure the curriculum to get you coding fast.