
A quick guide to the first things I'll setup on a fresh windows machine install before doing anything else.

- [ ] Move OneDrive based folders via regedit ([how to guide](https://appuals.com/fix-cant-move-the-folder-because-there-is-a-folder-in-the-same-location-that-cant-be-redirected/)).
- [ ] Install PowerShell 7 (or the latest version) [Microsoft Documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/install/installing-powershell-on-windows?view=powershell-7.2).
- [ ] [Set PowerShell `ExecutionPolicy`](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/set-executionpolicy?view=powershell-7.3&viewFallbackFrom=powershell-7.1).
- [ ] Change default terminal editor to VS Code `git config --global core.editor "code"`
- [ ] Update Windows Terminal config with [my config](https://github.com/lukethacoder/.../blob/master/profiles.json).
- [ ] Install the [Visual C++ Build Tools](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/).
- [ ] Install [git](https://git-scm.com/).
- [ ] Install [Fira Code (Nerd Font)](https://www.nerdfonts.com/font-downloads).
- [ ] Install [Oh My Posh](https://ohmyposh.dev/docs/installation/windows) and load in [my config](https://github.com/lukethacoder/.../blob/master/oh-my-posh.omp.json).
- [ ] Install [nvm-windows](https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows) and install node versions as needed
- [ ] Install [`pnpm`](http://pnpm.io/) (and [`npm`](https://www.npmjs.com/)/[`yarn`](https://yarnpkg.com/) as needed)
- [ ] Install [`sfdx && sf`](https://developer.salesforce.com/tools/sfdxcli) (NOTE: if you install via `pnpm || npm || yarn`, you wont get the `sf` cli - this may change in the future).
- [ ] Setup [`git` config files](https://github.com/lukethacoder/.../blob/master/.gitconfig)
- [ ] Setup GPG keys. Ideally use the GPG tool that comes installed with `git` [documentation](https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/managing-commit-signature-verification/about-commit-signature-verification).

Depending on the machine, I'll run a [choco script](https://github.com/lukethacoder/choco-milk) to bulk install the rest of the software/programs.


A quick guide to the first things I'll setup on a fresh windows machine install before doing anything else.

My Fresh Windows Machine Developer Setup


VS Code's Workspaces allow you to customise both the UI and functionality of the IDE at a project level. Workspaces settings override `User Settings` and are useful for sharing project settings with other devs and allow for project specific functionality and customisation.

To open Workspace Settings use the shortcut <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>,</kbd>. You can either edit the settings using the UI on this view or click the `{ }` in the top right corner to edit the `JSON` file.

### What are they good for?

- Adjusting `titleBar` colors to differentiate between multiple projects.
- `search.exclude` to hide `dist` / `plugins` / `vendor` / `node_modules` folders from search results.
- Exportable config allows sharing with co-workers on a per project basis.
- Multiple folder paths on one project (handy if frontend and backend live in separate repositories)

```json
"folders": [
  {
    "path": "C:\\laragon\\www\\backend_server"
  },
  {
    "path": "C:\\Github\\front_end_ui"
  }
],
```

### My Workspace Starter Settings

This is what I copy in to when I spool up a new project as a base - <a href="https://gist.github.com/lukethacoder/eecfc34c9c2bc63e87947d55d5b8b786" target="_blank">Gist</a>

```json
{
  "folders": [
    {
      "path": "C:\\Github\\PROJECT_NAME"
    }
  ],
  "settings": {
    "workbench.colorCustomizations": {
      "titleBar.activeBackground": "#141414",
      "titleBar.activeForeground": "#FFC87F",
      "titleBar.inactiveBackground": "#696969",
      "titleBar.inactiveForeground": "#FFC87F",
      "sash.hoverBorder": "#FFC87F"
    },
    "search.exclude": {
      ".cache": true,
      ".vscode": true,
      "node_modules": true
    },
    "window.title": "${rootName}",
    "editor.cursorSmoothCaretAnimation": true
  }
}
```

### So what do you use?

What other handy settings should other developers be using with their workspaces?

### References

[User and Workspace Settings](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/getstarted/settings)


VS Code's Workspaces allow you to customise both the UI and functionality of the IDE at a project level.

config

Articles

My Fresh Windows Machine Developer Setup

Up Your VS Code Game with Workspaces