Whimsical Workshop

Participants

Participant info

You don’t need to know anything about websites. We start with an empty file and build from there.

It helps if you’ve used a terminal and a code editor before. During the evening, you’ll type a few commands and edit some files. Never opened a terminal? That’s fine too — there’ll just be a bit more to take in.

We’ll build with Eleventy, a simple tool for making websites that runs on Node.js. You don’t need to install it; we’ll do that together at the start.

Before you come, install two things on your laptop: a code editor and Node.js, which includes npm. Choose the LTS version of Node.js. LTS stands for long-term support and is the recommended choice for most people.

Already have a code editor and Node.js 22 or newer, with npm? Then you’re good to go. Just run the check to make sure everything works. On Windows, you’ll also need Cmder to use the bash terminal.

Preparing your laptop

Follow the steps for your operating system.

Windows
  1. Install a code editor: VS Code or VSCodium. VSCodium is the same editor as an open-source build, without Microsoft’s branding and tracking.
  2. Install Node.js: Download the LTS Windows Installer (.msi) from nodejs.org and follow the installer instructions, keeping the default settings.
  3. Install Cmder: This extra step is for Windows. During the workshop, we’ll use a bash terminal, and Cmder makes it easy to get one without a separate manual installation of Git Bash.
    1. Download the Full version from cmder.app. It includes Git for Windows, which provides bash.
    2. Unzip it to a folder of its own, for example C:\cmder.
    3. Start Cmder.exe, click + and choose bash::bash to open a bash tab.
macOS
  1. Install a code editor: VS Code or VSCodium.
  2. Install Node.js: Download the LTS macOS Installer (.pkg) from nodejs.org and click through with the default settings.
    Already manage Node.js with Homebrew or a version manager? You can keep using your existing setup, as long as it meets the version requirements in the check below.
  3. Open Terminal: You’ll find it in Applications › Utilities. Nothing to install.
Linux
  1. Install a code editor: VS Code or VSCodium.
  2. Install Node.js LTS by following the instructions for your distribution on nodejs.org. The version in your package manager is often too old.
  3. Open Terminal: Use the terminal that comes with your distribution. Nothing extra to install.

Check that it works

Open your terminal and type these two commands, one at a time:

node --version
npm --version

Each one shows a version number, and Node.js starts with v22 or higher? Then you’re ready.

See you there

Didn’t get it all working? Don’t worry. The evening starts with setup, and we’ll sort out the last bits together. Bring your laptop and its charger.

See you on !