Your Claude Code Pre-Flight Checklist

1 Check your machine

Make sure your laptop can run everything comfortably.

• Windows 11 You've got this — just confirming.
• At least 8 GB of RAM (4 GB works, 8+ is comfortable) Check: press Win + Pause/Break, or Settings → System → About.
• ~5 GB of free disk space Settings → System → Storage. Everything we install is small (~200 MB); the room is for your projects.

2 Install the tools (in this order)

Use the default options in every installer unless noted.

• Git for Windows — git-scm.com/download/win Keep the default "Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software." Then restart your PC.
• GitHub CLI — cli.github.com (the Windows .msi) This is how your projects sync to GitHub.
• Claude Code Desktop — claude.com/download Install it, but don't sign in yet — we'll set up your access together.

3 Quick verify (open PowerShell)

Search "PowerShell" in the Start menu, open it, and type each line, pressing Enter. Each should print a version number, not an error.

• git --version Prints something like git version 2.4x.x.
• gh --version Prints the GitHub CLI version.

Connect GitHub (a browser window will pop up to sign in):

• gh auth login Choose GitHub.com → HTTPS → Yes to authenticate Git → sign in in the browser. Then run gh repo list to confirm it worked.

4 What to expect on day one

Nothing to install here — just so you know what's coming.

• Scott sets up your access + budget and your project folder. You'll be running with a monthly budget cap, so there's no way to overspend.
• We open your project in Claude Code and it already knows how SGA works. It comes pre-loaded with our data rules, vocabulary, and a starter toolkit.
• You'll learn "plan mode" first — Claude proposes, you approve. Press Shift + Tab to switch modes. It's the safe way to start.
• The one rule to remember: no patient data, ever. Aggregated numbers are fine; anything patient-specific is off-limits here.