#AppalachiaBuiltThis Start building ↗
Before build day

Get your laptop ready.
Build with your team.

Choose your device and one AI assistant. We will give you only the steps you need.

Before October 28

Bring a charged personal laptop and charger. The organizer’s preparation target is Windows 10/11, macOS 13+, or Linux, 8 GB+ RAM, and 10 GB of free storage. Your selected tool may have additional requirements.

Loaner laptops will support the activity. The event help desk will handle equipment and AI access support. If you bring your own laptop, prepare and test a tool you are permitted to use. You do not need to purchase an individual AI subscription to prepare for the event.

ALP is coordinating student participation, permissions, and supervision arrangements. Follow your school’s guidance and the tool provider’s age and account requirements. Never share passwords or put student personal information into prompts.

Set up at home if possible; venue Wi-Fi is shared. Do not bypass restrictions on school-managed devices.

Two ways to let AI help with setup
1 What kind of computer are you bringing?
2 Which AI assistant do you want to use?

Already prefer something else? These are three common choices, not requirements. You may use another tool—such as Cursor, Perplexity, GitHub Copilot, or another AI assistant—if you prefer. Check that platform’s official website for its setup and subscription instructions.

Choose a device and an assistant.

Your personalized checklist will open next.

The real lesson

You do not have to figure this out alone.

Your AI assistant can explain every step, check your work, and help fix what goes wrong. Ask questions in ordinary language.

“I’m new to this. Walk me through one step at a time, explain why we’re doing it, and pause after each step.”
Your web AI can help, too

Already use ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini online?

Open the chat you already know, give it this helper-page link, and ask it to walk you through your setup. It can explain unfamiliar words and help when a step does not look right.

Open ChatGPT ↗ Open Claude ↗ Open Gemini ↗
Read https://appalachia.builtthis.ai/setup/ and help me prepare for the October 28 Southwest Virginia AI Student Leadership Symposium. Ask which device and AI tool I chose, then guide me one step at a time. Explain why before changing anything and pause after each step.

Still stuck? Email events@builtthis.ai. We’ll human you through it.

Already ready?

Choose something to build.

Bring your own idea or pick a project template.

Find my project →
Later — not homework

Want the power-user setup?

After the basics work, learn about faster permission modes, trusted skills, and Rust Token Killer. None of this is required before the event.

See advanced options

Building with a student team?

ALP is coordinating student participation arrangements with schools. Use tools and accounts you are permitted to operate; adult supervision does not override provider rules. Students can contribute ideas, design, and testing. Use fictional sample data and keep student personal information out of prompts.