Installation

• Android Studio: the integrated development environment (IDE) that you’ll use to write, build, run, and debug your Android App
• Git: a widely-used version control system that you’ll use to save your work, track changes to your code, and submit your assignments
• Claude Code: an AI coding agent that you’ll collaborate with as you understand, debug, and improve your code
• Node.js: a JavaScript runtime needed to run Claude Code

This guide will walk you step-by-step through the process of installing these tools on your development machine. Note that Android Studio, Git, and Node.js are free software, but Claude Code requires a monthly subscription.

Laptop

Laptop

You will need a laptop or other personal computer to work on the MP. Most laptops are able to run Android Studio without too much trouble, although the emulator may be slow on older models.

If you don’t have access to a personal computer, please see our laptop loaner program information for details about university programs that provide free laptop loans for the semester. Both the Engineering IT and ATLAS programs provide laptops with full administrative access, allowing you to install Android Studio and all required software.

Android Studio cannot be installed on the lab machines on campus, and you need administrator privileges to install it on your development machine. Both laptop loaner programs described on our resources page provide machines with the necessary permissions.

If you are really stuck gaining access to a personal computer to complete the MP, please reach out to Geoff for help.

GitHub

GitHub

If you don’t already have a GitHub account, start here to create one. Note that if you sign up with your @illinois.edu email address there are usually some freebies thrown in…

Once you’re done, link your GitHub account with your CS 124 identity using the button below.

Overview

Overview

As an overview, we’ll first install Git, then Node.js, then Android Studio, and finally Claude Code. The process can take a bit of time, so please be patient, and proceed slowly and carefully step-by-step. Installing new software is generally a very safe process, and these are widely-used tools, but it’s still possible for things to go wrong. Reach out to the course tutors for support if and when needed.

Windows

Windows

Here are the links you’ll need for the installation on Windows:

• Git: https://git-scm.com/downloads/win
• Node.js: https://nodejs.org/en/download
• Android Studio: https://developer.android.com/studio?hl=en

We’ll install Claude Code using the Android Studio terminal.

Note that some of these steps may fail if you do not have administrator access on your development machine.

We’ll install Claude Code using the Android Studio terminal using the following command: npm install --global @anthropic-ai/claude-code. Note that the command must be entered exactly as written in order to work.

When you’re done, proceed to the final steps described below.

Mac

Mac

Here are the links you’ll need for the installation on Mac:

• Node.js: https://nodejs.org/en/download
• Android Studio: https://developer.android.com/studio?hl=en

We’ll install Git using Xcode and Claude Code using the Android Studio terminal, using the following commands. Note that the commands below must be entered exactly as written in order to work:

• Git: Type git --version at the MacOS Terminal. This will launch a dialog allowing you to install the Xcode command line utilities.
• Claude Code: Type sudo npm install --global @anthropic-ai/claude-code at the Android Studio Terminal (or at the MacOS Terminal). You will probably need to type your password after running this command, and have administrative privileges on your machine.

When you’re done, proceed to the final steps described below.

Linux

Linux

Here are the links you’ll need for the installation on Linux:

• Node.js: https://nodejs.org/en/download
• Android Studio: https://developer.android.com/studio?hl=en

We’ll install Git using the Ubuntu terminal and Claude Code using the Android Studio terminal, using the following commands. Note that the commands below must be entered exactly as written in order to work:

• Git: Type git at the Ubuntu terminal. If Git is not installed this should print the command required to install it. If not, check this page for distro-specific instructions.
• Claude Code: Type sudo npm install --global @anthropic-ai/claude-code at the Android Studio Terminal (or at the Linux/Ubuntu Terminal). You will probably need to type your password after running this command, and have administrative privileges on your machine.

When you’re done, proceed to the final steps described below.

Android Studio Setup

Android Studio Setup

We’re almost done! To finish, we’ll install a few Android Studio plugins and then make sure that we can run the emulator. These steps are the same regardless of whether you’re using Windows, Mac, or Linux, so I’m just recording one demo video.

Specifically, to finish the installation we’ll install the following Android Studio plugins:

1. For everyone, the official CS 124 plugin
2. For everyone, the beta Claude Code plugin
3. If you’re using Java, the checkstyle IntelliJ plugin
4. If you’re using Kotlin, the detekt IntelliJ plugin

Then we’ll make sure that you can run the Android emulator. This is critical! You will not be able to complete the MP without using the Android emulator unless you have a personal Android device that you can use.