workspace-course-topics

Pre-Class Verification Checklist

Purpose: Verify your environment is ready BEFORE class. Complete all checks and fix any issues.

Bring to class: Be prepared to demonstrate each verification step if asked.

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1. Terminal context (Windows users especially)

Run:

echo $SHELL

Expected: /bin/bash or /bin/zsh

If wrong: You’re in Windows PowerShell. Type wsl to enter Ubuntu.

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2. Ballpark repository exists

Run:

ls ~/GitHub/<your-username>/ballpark/README.md

Expected: Shows the file path (no error)

If “No such file”: Fork then clone the repo:

1. Fork at https://github.com/econ-ark/ballpark (click Fork)
2. Clone your fork:

   mkdir -p ~/GitHub/<your-username>
   cd ~/GitHub/<your-username>
   git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/ballpark.git
   

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3. Ballpark is up to date

Run:

cd ~/GitHub/<your-username>/ballpark

# If you have an upstream remote (recommended), pull from upstream:
git pull upstream master

# Otherwise (if you only have origin), pull from your fork:
# git pull origin master

Expected: “Already up to date” or shows files updated

If error about uncommitted changes: Ask for help or run git stash first.

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4. Environment exists

Run:

ls ~/GitHub/<your-username>/ballpark/.venv-*/

Expected: Shows a directory like .venv-darwin-arm64/ or .venv-linux-x86_64/ (depends on your system)

If empty or missing: The environment needs to be created. Ask Cursor:

“How do I install the environment for this repo? I think I should run scripts/setup_env.sh.”

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5. Environment activates successfully

Run:

cd ~/GitHub/<your-username>/ballpark
source .venv-$(uname -s | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]')-$(uname -m)/bin/activate
echo $VIRTUAL_ENV

Expected: Path ending in .venv-...

If error: The environment may be corrupted. Ask for help.

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6. Cursor launches from ballpark

Run:

cd ~/GitHub/econ-ark/ballpark
cursor .

Expected: Cursor opens with ballpark as the root folder in Explorer

If “cursor: command not found”: Open Cursor manually, then: Cmd+Shift+P → “Shell Command: Install ‘cursor’ command in PATH”

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7. PaperPile account exists with papers

Go to https://paperpile.com and sign in.

Expected: You see bibliography entries for your ballpark paper

If empty: You need to add references. Ask an AI:

“I need to create a BibTeX file for the references in [paper title]. What’s the most efficient way?”

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8. PaperPile connected to JHU Libraries

In PaperPile: Settings → Proxy Connection

Expected: Johns Hopkins University is selected and “Test Connection” succeeds

If not connected: Select Johns Hopkins University and test the connection.

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9. Google Drive installed and syncing

Mac: Look for Google Drive icon in menu bar
Windows: Look for Google Drive icon in system tray

Expected: Icon is visible; your Gmail account is connected

If not installed: Download from https://www.google.com/drive/download/

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10. BibTeX Export Workflow configured in PaperPile

In PaperPile: Click profile icon (top right) → Workflows and Integrations

Expected: You see a BibTeX Export workflow listed

If missing: Click “Add Workflow” → “BibTeX Export” → Source: My Library → Destination: Google Drive → Finish

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Summary

Check	Status
1. Terminal context	☐
2. Ballpark exists	☐
3. Ballpark up to date	☐
4. Environment exists	☐
5. Environment activates	☐
6. Cursor launches	☐
7. PaperPile has papers	☐
8. PaperPile → JHU	☐
9. Google Drive installed	☐
10. BibTeX Export configured	☐

All boxes checked? You’re ready for class.

Any failures? Fix them before class, or arrive early to get help.