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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.