# Prepare Workstation

> Prepare a computer for CEN Starter development by diagnosing and installing the standard workstation baseline: Git, GitHub CLI, Node.js, pnpm, Rancher Desktop, OpenShift and IBM Cloud CLIs, IBM Bob, and supporting editor extensions. Use when prerequisites are missing, containers are unavailable, setup fails before the app starts, or a user needs beginner-friendly workstation help on macOS, Windows, WSL, Linux, or a managed company device.

- Skill: `ibm/prepare-workstation` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 8 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add ibm/prepare-workstation`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/ibm/prepare-workstation/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: IBM (https://skillmd.com/u/ibm)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/ibm/prepare-workstation

---


# Prepare workstation

Get the machine ready without assuming terminal experience. Fix one missing prerequisite at a
time and explain what each action does.

## Guardrails

- Audit first; do not reinstall working tools.
- Before installing software, using `sudo`/administrator access, or changing system settings,
  summarize the action and get the user's confirmation.
- On managed devices, prefer the company software portal or IT instructions. Never bypass
  device policy, proxies, certificates, or endpoint protection.
- Do not install Docker Desktop on IBM-managed machines. Use the approved Docker-compatible
  runtime or Podman where a local container engine is required.
- Use official installers and documentation. Do not pipe a downloaded script into a shell
  without showing the command and getting confirmation.
- Do not uninstall an existing runtime, reset its storage, or stop unrelated containers without
  explicit permission.

## 1. Audit

Run what is available:

```bash
git --version
gh --version
node --version
pnpm --version
docker --version
docker compose version
docker info
podman --version
podman compose version
podman info
oc version --client
ibmcloud --version
ibmcloud plugin show code-engine
ibmcloud plugin show container-registry
```

Node must satisfy `package.json` and should match `.nvmrc`. pnpm should match the
`packageManager` field. One configured engine must pass both `info` and `compose version`;
having only a CLI is not enough. Do not require both engines. Only check `gh` authentication
when a workflow needs to publish or administer a repository; workstation preparation does not
log users in preemptively.

## 2. Install what is missing

Detect the operating system and read exactly one guide:

- macOS: `references/macos.md`
- Windows or WSL: `references/windows.md`
- Linux: `references/linux.md`

Also read `references/deployment-tools.md` and `references/editor.md`. If an install or check
fails, read `references/troubleshooting.md`.

After an installer finishes, open a new terminal when PATH or shell configuration changed.
Restart the computer when Windows, WSL, virtualization, or company policy requires it.

## 3. Verify

Repeat the audit, then run:

```bash
pnpm install --frozen-lockfile
```

Do not start project configuration until every required check passes. Once they do, return to
the workflow that requested workstation preparation.