0:00
Nothing to install
This route sets up and runs CodeYam from GitHub Codespaces. You don't install anything on your own machine. All you need is a free GitHub account, signed in.
Run CodeYam in GitHub Codespaces
Run CodeYam in your browser from GitHub Codespaces. Nothing to install, just a free GitHub account.
What you need first. A free GitHub account, signed in, and an AI to connect once CodeYam opens. We recommend Claude. Nothing gets installed on your computer.
Where to start. The CodeYam Codespaces starter has the Open in GitHub Codespaces button. Use it as is, or make it a template of your own.
Finding your codespaces later. github.com/codespaces lists every codespace you have, whether it's running, and the options to stop, delete, or reopen it.
If something goes wrong, start here:
- CodeYam's prompt library has pre-baked prompts for debugging a setup
- The CodeYam Discord if you would rather ask a person
In this lesson9 chapters
TranscriptClick any timestamp to jump the video there.
0:12
Start from the starter project
Start from CodeYam's open-source starter project. You can use it as is, or create your own template from it, customized for your company or a specific project. Click Open in GitHub Codespaces, then Create new codespace, and let it build.
0:37
Free hours
GitHub Codespaces comes with a set number of free hours each month. How many depends on the machine your codespace runs on. It's about 60 on the one shown here.
0:43
What you're looking at
What appears while it sets up is Visual Studio Code, an IDE, or integrated development environment, running directly in your browser. If you're technical it may look familiar. If you're not, don't worry about it. It's what's under the hood, installing everything CodeYam needs.
1:12
Trust the folder
When Visual Studio Code asks for permission to continue, click Trust Folder & Continue, and it finishes setting itself up.
1:25
Open CodeYam
When the project is ready, CodeYam tries to open in a pop-up. If your browser blocks it, allow pop-ups so it opens next time. You can also open it from the link: copy and paste it, Command-click it on a Mac, or Control-click it on Windows.
1:50
Connect your AI
To start, connect CodeYam to your AI. We recommend Claude, and there are a few other options you can use too. They're all in beta, but they should work. Once your AI is connected, CodeYam walks you through creating your first project.
2:08
Managing your codespace
Leave the codespace open while you work. It's what powers CodeYam. Your list of codespaces shows which ones are running, and from there you can stop one, delete it, or open it back up in the browser if you lose the tab. Your project also gets its own GitHub repository, with the same button the starter project had for opening it directly.
2:44
Sleep, and when you're done
If you step away for a while, your codespace goes to sleep to save your free hours. Nothing is lost. Come back, wake it up, and keep going. When you're finished, you can delete it.