New to the lab? Start here.

Two checks. Three commands. Then one clear route.

This bootstrap is not an assessment. Its only job is to make Git and GitHub CLI available, authenticate your own GitHub account, and open the local guided passport. You do not choose branches or manage Git here.

For the 2026 semester, soheylm-passport-sandbox is the official IDEAL Lab passport service. You do not join that organization; your generated public learning record stays attached to your own GitHub account.

Before command 1

Check two prerequisites

Open PowerShell on Windows, Terminal on macOS, or your normal terminal on Linux. Run:

Check Git

git --version

Expected: one Git version line.

Check GitHub CLI

gh --version

Expected: a line beginning with gh version.

Run one check at a time. If either command is missing, use the official installer below, close the terminal completely, reopen it, and run only the missing check again.

Windows 10 or 11 / PowerShell

Run each command separately. Accept only the package named by the command.

winget install --id Git.Git -e --source winget

winget install --id GitHub.cli --source winget

Expected: both installations report success. Close the whole terminal window, reopen PowerShell, then rerun the two checks above. A new tab is not sufficient after the GitHub CLI installer changes `PATH`.

If `winget` is unavailable: official Git installer If `winget` is unavailable: official GitHub CLI installer

Stop rather than improvise

If the laptop blocks an installer or asks for administrator approval, keep the exact non-secret message and use the asynchronous help route. Do not edit SSH files, PowerShell policy, antivirus settings, or system permissions.

Open safe troubleshooting

First setup

Run these in order, one at a time.

Wait for the expected result before moving to the next command. Never paste a password, token, or private key into an issue or exercise file.

Your GitHub username is necessarily public through the learning record. Do not add an ETH username, email address, student number, or other private identifier to the exercises.

01
Authenticate GitHub CLI
Your computer / PowerShell. A GitHub page opens. Sign in to your own account and approve GitHub CLI.
gh auth login --web --git-protocol https
Expected: the command ends without an authentication error. Verify with gh auth status.
It did not work
Run gh auth status. If it says you are not logged in, repeat command 1 once and finish the browser sign-in. If the same error remains, stop and use safe troubleshooting.
02
Install or update the public launcher
Your computer / PowerShell. GitHub CLI installs the exact tested release v0.3.0.
gh extension install soheylm-passport-sandbox/gh-passport --force --pin v0.3.0
Expected: the command finishes without an error.
It did not work
If the error names an older copy of this exact extension, run gh extension remove soheylm-passport-sandbox/gh-passport once, then repeat command 2. Do not remove any other extension. Otherwise stop and use safe troubleshooting.
03
Open the guided route wizard
Your computer / PowerShell. The launcher creates or safely reuses its own files. Choose your responsibilities in the browser.
gh passport start
Expected: your browser opens an address beginning with http://127.0.0.1:. Keep this terminal running.
It did not work
Run gh passport doctor. Follow only the single recovery named by the failed check. If it remains blocked, keep the non-secret error and use safe troubleshooting; do not delete the Passport folder.

SUCCESS

The browser opens locally

The address begins with http://127.0.0.1: and the strip says Your local passport. Keep that terminal running during the session.

Your supervisor can enroll your GitHub identity asynchronously before or after you start. If a submitted mission has no automatic result after 30 minutes, open one public, non-secret help request and return later.

RETURN LATER

Resume on macOS or Linux

Run this from any folder. The local registry finds the managed worktree. Do not reinstall or clone again.

gh passport open

WINDOWS RETURN

Resume in PowerShell

Run this from any PowerShell folder. The browser can close between sessions; the registered local files remain.

gh passport open

Not ready to install?

Preview the curriculum without creating progress

The preview is read-only. It is useful for understanding the routes, but it is not an assignment or completion record.

Preview sample routes