Get your computer ready

You need two free programs to build an Astro site. Neither needs any coding knowledge to install.

Install Node.js

Node.js runs the tools that build your website. Your finished site won’t need it, but your computer will while you work.

1. Go to nodejs.org and download the version labelled LTS, which means long-term support.
2. Open the installer and accept the default options.

Astro needs Node.js version 22.23.4 or newer. Odd-numbered versions such as 23 aren’t supported, which is another reason to choose LTS.

Install VS Code

VS Code is a text editor made for code. Download it from code.visualstudio.com and install it. Then open it, go to the Extensions panel, search for Astro, and install the official extension. It colours your code and spots mistakes as you type.

Open a terminal

The terminal is a window where you type instructions instead of clicking buttons. VS Code has one built in. Open the Terminal menu and choose New Terminal.

Type this and press Enter:

node -v

You should see a version number, such as v24.21.0.

What you’ve done

Your computer can now run Astro. In the next lesson, you’ll create your project and see it in a browser.