⚙️ Setup Guide – Mac & Windows (WSL2) for Linux, Python, Docker & Kubernetes Curriculum

Welcome! This guide prepares your system for the 5-Day curriculum covering Linux fundamentals, Python, Docker, and Kubernetes. Linux-native (bare metal) instructions are omitted; use WSL2 on Windows for a true Linux experience.

💻 Minimum Hardware Requirements

WARNING

Purpose: Ensure your system can run containers, VMs, and development tools smoothly.

• CPU: Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 / Apple M1+
• RAM: 8GB (16GB recommended)
• Storage: SSD, 20GB free
• Internet: Required for downloads, Docker pulls, etc.

🛠️ VS Code Setup

1. Download: VS Code
2. Enable:
   • “Open with Code” option
   • PATH setup (for terminal use)
3. Check:

   code --version

📘 Recommended VS Code Extensions

Extension	Purpose
Python	Python language support
Pylance	Fast Python IntelliSense
Docker	Manage containers/images
YAML	YAML syntax & validation
Kubernetes	K8s manifests & clusters
Remote - WSL	Edit inside WSL (Windows only)
Prettier	Auto-format code
Vim	Vim keybindings (optional)
Markdown All in One	Markdown editing tools

Install all at once:

code --install-extension ms-python.python \
 && code --install-extension ms-python.vscode-pylance \
 && code --install-extension ms-azuretools.vscode-docker \
 && code --install-extension redhat.vscode-yaml \
 && code --install-extension ms-kubernetes-tools.vscode-kubernetes-tools \
 && code --install-extension ms-vscode-remote.remote-wsl \
 && code --install-extension esbenp.prettier-vscode \
 && code --install-extension vscodevim.vim \
 && code --install-extension yzhang.markdown-all-in-one

✅ VS Code Checklist

• [ ] VS Code launches from terminal (code .)
• [ ] Extensions above installed
• [ ] Open a terminal in VS Code and run:

  python3 --version
  docker --version
  kubectl version --client

• [ ] (Windows) Use Remote WSL for all dev work

🌍 Git & GitHub Setup

• Create GitHub account
• Install Git:
  • macOS: brew install git
  • Windows: Git for Windows (use in both Windows & WSL2)
• Configure:

  git config --global user.name "Your Name"
  git config --global user.email "your@email.com"

• SSH Key for GitHub:

  ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your@email.com"
  # Add public key to GitHub: Settings → SSH Keys → New

🖥️ Mac Setup

1. Homebrew (Package Manager)

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

2. Python 3 & pipx

brew install python pipx
python3 --version
pipx --version

3. Docker Desktop

• Download Docker Desktop for Mac
• Run installer and follow prompts
• Test:

  docker --version
  docker run hello-world

4. kubectl & Minikube

brew install kubectl minikube
kubectl version --client
minikube version

• Start local cluster:

  minikube start
  minikube dashboard

5. Optional: htop, vim, jq, etc.

brew install htop vim jq

🪟 Windows Setup (Preferred: WSL2 + Ubuntu)

1. Enable WSL2 & Install Ubuntu

• Open PowerShell as Admin:

  wsl --install
  # or, for existing systems:
  dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
  dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart
  wsl --set-default-version 2
  wsl --list --online
  wsl --install -d Ubuntu

• Launch Ubuntu from Start Menu. Set username/password.

2. Update WSL Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

3. Essential Packages

sudo apt install -y build-essential python3 python3-pip python3-venv pipx git vim htop jq
python3 --version
pipx --version

4. Docker in WSL2

• Install Docker Desktop for Windows
• Enable "Use the WSL 2 based engine" in Docker Desktop settings
• Test in Ubuntu:

  docker --version
  docker run hello-world

5. kubectl & Minikube in WSL2

curl -LO https://storage.googleapis.com/kubernetes-release/release/`curl -s https://storage.googleapis.com/kubernetes-release/release/stable.txt`/bin/linux/amd64/kubectl
chmod +x kubectl
sudo mv kubectl /usr/local/bin/
kubectl version --client

curl -LO https://storage.googleapis.com/minikube/releases/latest/minikube-linux-amd64
sudo install minikube-linux-amd64 /usr/local/bin/minikube
minikube version

• Start cluster:

  minikube start
  minikube dashboard

🪟 Windows (Backup: Native, Not Preferred)

• Use only if WSL2 is not possible. Some tools may have limited support.

1. Python

• Download Python for Windows
• Add to PATH during install
• Verify:

  python --version
  pip --version

2. Docker Desktop

• Download Docker Desktop for Windows
• Test:

  docker --version
  docker run hello-world

3. kubectl & Minikube

• kubectl Windows releases
• Minikube Windows releases

🧪 Troubleshooting & Tips

• Docker fails to start? Restart Docker Desktop, check virtualization/WSL2 settings.
• Permission denied? Use sudo or check group membership (e.g., add user to docker group in WSL2).
• Minikube issues? Try minikube delete && minikube start.
• PATH issues? Restart terminal or system after installs.
• Still stuck? Post your error here or ask your instructor.

✅ Next Steps

• Open VS Code, clone your course repo, and verify Python, Docker, and Minikube are working.