Start From Scratch

Visual Studio Code is your workspace

Visual Studio Code gives you one straightforward workspace for your files, collaboration with colleagues, AI agents, the ACT Playbook MCP server, and the other tools you need, so you do not need technical expertise or several separate applications to get started.

Step 1: Install Visual Studio Code

Download Visual Studio Code for your computer and complete its installer.

On macOS, open the Command Palette with Command Shift P, search for Shell Command, then run Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH.

Open Visual Studio Code and use its menu to select Terminal, New Terminal. The integrated terminal opens at the bottom of the editor. You will use it for the remaining command-line setup steps.

You should see a terminal panel at the bottom of Visual Studio Code.

Need help: Troubleshooting.

Step 2: Install an AI agent extension

Install one AI agent extension in Visual Studio Code. If you already have one installed, keep it and sign in with the account you want to use. VS Code calls these plugins extensions.

After installing a coding agent extension, click its icon in the upper-right corner of the editor to open its panel. The Claude Code panel, the Codex panel, or the equivalent panel for your selected agent should open when you click its icon.

Need help: Troubleshooting.

Step 3: Install Git and GitHub CLI

Use the integrated terminal in Visual Studio Code to install Git and GitHub CLI.

brew install git gh

winget install --exact --id Git.Git
winget install --exact --id GitHub.cli

sudo apt update
sudo apt install git gh

git --version
gh --version

You should see a version number for Git and GitHub CLI.

Step 4: Configure Git and sign in to GitHub

Set your commit identity and sign GitHub CLI in through the browser.

git config --global user.name "YOUR NAME"
git config --global user.email "YOUR VERIFIED GITHUB EMAIL"
git config --global init.defaultBranch main
git config --global pull.rebase false
git config --global push.autoSetupRemote true
gh auth login
gh auth setup-git

Choose GitHub.com, HTTPS, and browser sign-in when prompted.

git config --global --get user.name
git config --global --get user.email
gh auth status

You should see your name, verified GitHub email, and a successful GitHub account status.

Need help: Troubleshooting.

Step 5: Create the first private repository

Create your team's first private repository from the ACT Playbook template.

gh repo create act-playbook-your-company --private --template act-playbook/act-playbook-template

If GitHub CLI asks for an owner, choose the personal account or GitHub organization that should own the workspace. Copy the URL it shows for the new repository.

In Visual Studio Code, open Explorer from the left sidebar and select Clone Repository. Paste the new repository URL. When Visual Studio Code asks where to save it, choose a regular local project folder that is not automatically synced. Visual Studio Code then clones and opens the repository for you.

git remote -v
git status

You should see origin pointing to your private repository and a clean working tree.

Need help: Troubleshooting.

Step 6: Install ACT Playbook skills

Install the ACT Playbook skill pack for the agent you installed.

gh auth status
gh skill install act-playbook/act-playbook-skills --all --scope user

When the installer asks which agents to configure, select your chosen agent. Restart or reload the agent after installation.

List the installed ACT Playbook skills available in this workspace. Do not change any files.

You should see ACT Playbook skills for value architecture, company voice, competitive intelligence, website work, SEO, and website audits.

Need help: Troubleshooting.

Step 7: Connect ACT Playbook MCP through OAuth

Add ACT Playbook MCP so your agent can access the organization you authorize.

codex mcp add act-playbook --url https://actplaybook.com/api/mcp
codex mcp login act-playbook
codex mcp list

claude mcp add --transport http act-playbook https://actplaybook.com/api/mcp

Use the ACT Playbook MCP server. State the connected organization and list the available customer profiles, personas, value drivers, and offerings. Do not change any files.

You should see the intended ACT Playbook organization.

Need help: Troubleshooting.

Step 8: Run the final verification

Confirm the tools, repository, skills, and MCP connection from the workspace.

code --version
git --version
gh --version
git remote -v
git status
git config --global --get init.defaultBranch
git config --global --get pull.rebase
git config --global --get push.autoSetupRemote

Read the repository instructions, MEMORY.md, and the top-level directory tree. Explain where company context belongs, where generated work belongs, where project-specific skills belong, and which writing and memory rules apply. Do not change any files.

You should see tool versions, your private repository remote, main, false, true, installed ACT Playbook skills, and the correct ACT Playbook organization.

Need help: Troubleshooting.

Success

Your AI workspace is ready when Visual Studio Code is open at the private repository, the agent can read the repository, ACT Playbook skills are available, and ACT Playbook MCP shows the intended organization.

Next: Work with your team or Optional integrations.