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🏋️Module 1 — Exercise

Getting Started: Your Toolkit

Install everything and run your first @Solar command.

Exercise 1.1: Hello Solar

Goal: Install everything and create your first app with one command.

Pre-Flight Checklist

Before you begin, verify every item below. If any check fails, follow the fix link before continuing.

#CheckHow to verifyFix
1VS Code installedOpen VS Code — you should see the welcome screenDownload VS Code (version 1.93.0+)
2Node.js installedIf you've never installed Node.js, download it now. Re-installing won't cause problems.Download Node.js — pick the LTS option
3GitHub Copilot Chat installedIn VS Code, open the Extensions panel (puzzle-piece icon) and search "GitHub Copilot Chat" — it should say "Installed"Search "GitHub Copilot Chat" in the Extensions panel and click Install
4Signed in to GitHubClick the Accounts icon (bottom-left of VS Code) — your GitHub username should appearClick Accounts → Sign in with GitHub
5@weareplanet org accessGo to github.com/weareplanet/solar-ds-copilot — you should see the repo page, not a 404Open a ticket on Luna using the message template below (may take 1–2 days)

Luna message template — copy and paste this into your Luna ticket (replace the placeholder with your GitHub username):

Hello, I need access to the @weareplanet GitHub organisation to use the @solar VS Code extension. My GitHub username is: [YOUR GITHUB USERNAME]. Thank you!

| 6 | Solar DS Copilot installed | In the Extensions panel, search "Solar" — you should see "Solar DS Copilot" listed | Download the .vsix from GitHub Releases, then Extensions panel → ... menu → "Install from VSIX…" |

Instructions

Step 1 — Open an empty folder

Create a new, empty folder on your computer (e.g., My First App on your Desktop).

In VS Code: File → Open Folder → select the empty folder you just created.

Step 2 — Open Copilot Chat

Press Cmd+Shift+I (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+I (Windows) to open the Copilot Chat panel. You can also click the chat icon in the left sidebar.

Step 3 — Run your first command

Type the following in the chat panel and press Enter:

@solar /initiate My First App

Step 4 — Watch and wait

@Solar will now set up your project. Here's what you'll see — don't close any panels:

  1. A progress message appears in the chat: "Scaffolding your project…"
  2. Files start appearing in the Explorer panel (left sidebar) — this is the project structure being created
  3. You'll see progress activity at the bottom of VS Code as packages are installed — this takes 30–60 seconds
  4. A built-in browser panel opens showing your running app

This takes about 1–2 minutes the first time. Let it finish completely before moving on.

Step 5 — Verify and screenshot

Once the preview is open, verify the success criteria below, then take a screenshot of VS Code showing the running app.

Success Criteria

Your exercise is complete when you can see all of the following in VS Code:

  • A sidebar navigation on the left side of the app (inside the preview) with links to multiple pages
  • A "Get Started" page is visible in the preview, showing template cards
  • The app is running in VS Code's built-in browser panel (not in an external browser like Chrome)
  • The Explorer panel (left sidebar of VS Code) shows project files and folders like src/, package.json, etc.

Deliverable

Take a screenshot showing the full VS Code window with the app running in the built-in browser. Upload it via Microsoft Forms.

Troubleshooting

"I don't see @solar in chat"

  • Make sure the Solar DS Copilot extension is installed (check the Extensions panel)
  • Try reloading VS Code: Cmd+Shift+P → type "Reload Window" → press Enter
  • Make sure you typed @solar (with the @ prefix)

"npm ERR! 401 Unauthorized" or "ENEEDAUTH"

Your GitHub authentication isn't configured for npm packages. Run @solar /initiate again — it will detect the problem and set up authentication automatically.

"npm ERR! 404 Not Found"

The @weareplanet scope isn't pointing to GitHub Packages. Run @solar /initiate again — it will add the correct registry configuration.

"E403 Forbidden"

Your GitHub account doesn't have access to the @weareplanet organisation. Open a ticket on Luna with this message:

Hello, I need access to the @weareplanet GitHub organisation to use the @solar VS Code extension. My GitHub username is: [YOUR GITHUB USERNAME]. Thank you!

Then try again once access is granted.

"The preview didn't open"

  1. Try typing @solar /preview in the chat panel
  2. If that doesn't work: Cmd+Shift+P → type "Simple Browser: Show" → enter http://localhost:5173
  3. If you still see nothing, type @solar /status in the chat panel — it will show you what's wrong

"Node.js is not installed"

Download and install Node.js from nodejs.org (pick the LTS version). After installing, restart VS Code completely (close and re-open it).

General tip: Use Copilot Chat to troubleshoot

If you see any error message you don't understand, paste it into the Copilot Chat panel and ask what it means:

I'm getting this error: "npm ERR! 401 Unauthorized" — what does this mean and how do I fix it?

Copilot can explain most errors in plain English and suggest fixes. You can also run:

@solar /status

This checks your environment and tells you if anything is misconfigured.

Still stuck? Fill out the feedback form and we'll get back to you.

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