AI for Research Efficiency, episode 2.0: Before you start
Narration: an AI-generated voice (ElevenLabs).

[0:00] Before you start
By the end of these short episodes, an AI agent will be working in a folder on your own computer.
First, a little groundwork. It takes a few minutes, and you only do it once.
AI for Research Efficiency. Episode 2.0: Before you start.
Last time, we saw why an agent can do more on the command line: it works in your files, with your programs.
In this episode: open a terminal, find your way around, make a project folder, install two helpers, and choose an account.

[0:38] 1. Open a terminal
Step one: open a terminal.
On Windows 11, press the Windows key and X together, then choose Terminal.
On a Mac, press Command and Space, type Terminal, and press Return.
On Windows you'll see PS, then the folder you're in. That's the prompt: PowerShell is waiting for you.

[1:04] 2. Four words
Step two: four words to find your way. They work on Windows and on a Mac.
pwd shows where you are.
ls lists what's here.
cd, then a folder's name, goes into it. cd .. goes back up.
And mkdir, then a name, makes a new folder.

[1:33] 3. A project folder
Step three: make a project folder for your agent, and go into it.
Type mkdir agent-work and press Enter. Then cd agent-work.
This is where the agent will work. Always start it in a project folder like this one, never in your home folder.

[1:57] 4. Git and Python
Step four: two helpers, installed with winget, the installer built into Windows.
Git can keep a history of every change in your project folder, so you can go back. Your agent can set it up for you.
Python is a tool agents use to read Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.
Paste each line from the companion page, and press Enter. Each one starts with winget install.
Then close the terminal, open a new one, and check: git --version, and python --version. Each prints a version number.
If it says git is not recognized, the terminal hasn't caught up with the install. Open a new one, and try again.

[2:52] 5. An account
Step five: an account. Each agent needs one with its maker: a monthly plan, or an API key you pay for as you use it.
Google's Antigravity also has a free tier. Today's details are on the companion page.
If your campus gives you an AI license, ask whether it covers these tools, and check the rules for research data first.

[3:19] 6. Two speeds
Step six: two speeds. At first, have the agent ask before each step, and read what it wants to do.
When you trust it with a task, switch on its automatic mode, and the work goes much faster. Keep a history with Git, and check its results.

[3:38] Try it
Pause now: open a terminal, make your project folder, and run git --version. You should see a version number.

[3:50] Review and next
So: a terminal, four words, a project folder, Git and Python, an account, and two speeds.
Next, install your first agent. Pick one: Claude Code, Codex CLI or Antigravity CLI. They work the same way.