RAFT
Back to lessonsAssessment

Terminal minimum for running Prototype Kit projects

Learn the small set of terminal commands you need to install dependencies, run the kit, and read errors.

Goal

Be self-sufficient enough to run a prototype kit and diagnose basic issues.

Commands you will use constantly

Navigation:

  • Where am I?: pwd
  • What’s in this folder?: ls
  • Go home: cd ~ (or just cd)
  • Go into a folder: cd folder-name
  • Go up one folder: cd ..
  • Autocomplete a path: press Tab

Running the kit:

  • Install packages: npm install
  • Run locally (common): npm run dev (sometimes npm start)
  • Stop it: Ctrl + C

Tip:

  • Use the up arrow to cycle through previous commands.

Keep projects in one predictable place.

Example:

  • mkdir -p ~/Repos
  • cd ~/Repos
  • git clone <repo-url>
  • cd <repo-folder>

Using Terminal inside VS Code (optional but efficient)

If you don’t want a separate Terminal window:

  • VS Code menu: View → Terminal
  • Toggle terminal panel: `Ctrl + ``
  • Focus editor: Ctrl + 1

Common problems

  • "command not found: npm" → Node/npm isn’t installed correctly (or PATH is wrong).
  • You’re in the wrong folder → run pwd and check you’re inside the repo.
  • The server won’t stop → make sure your terminal has focus, then press Ctrl + C.
  • Weird missing module errors → try npm install again; if still broken, deleting node_modules is a last resort.