workspace-course-topics

Assignment: Install WSL2 and Ubuntu (Windows users only)

Due: Before the first class meeting

Who: Windows laptop users only. Mac and Linux users skip this.

---

Why

This course uses Unix-style tools (Git, LaTeX, Python). On Windows, we use WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) to run Ubuntu Linux inside Windows. All terminal work in this course must be done inside WSL/Ubuntu, not in PowerShell.

---

Quick install

Follow Microsoft’s official WSL installation guide. Brief steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator (right-click Start → Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
2. Run:

   wsl --install
   

3. Restart your computer when prompted.
4. After restart, Ubuntu will open. Complete the initial setup (create a username and password).
5. Verify: Open a terminal and type wsl. You should see a Linux prompt (username@machine:~$).

---

If you run into trouble

See Microsoft’s official WSL installation guide for detailed steps and troubleshooting.

---

Deliverable

Arrive at Class 01 with Ubuntu (WSL2) installed and working. You should be able to type wsl and get a Linux shell.