Getting Set Up
Choose a tool, pick a plan, install it
What to expect at the bootcamp
Two lunch sessions, watch-along format. You do not need to install anything beforehand. Bring a laptop if you want to follow along, but it is not required. The main thing to bring is a task you’d like to try — something from your teaching or research where you spend time on mechanical work.
Two ways to use AI tools
| Chat tools | Agentic tools | |
|---|---|---|
| What they do | Answer questions, draft text, summarize uploaded files | Work directly on files in your project folders |
| Interface | Web browser or desktop app | Terminal (text-based command line) |
| Setup | Create an account, start typing | Install Node.js, then install the tool |
| Best for starting | Quick tasks, brainstorming, one-off drafts | Multi-step workflows, code, file management |
| Examples | Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot | Claude Code, OpenAI Codex |
For this bootcamp, we demo agentic tools because they show a bigger jump in usefulness. But chat tools are a perfectly good place to start.
Claude Code vs. OpenAI Codex
These are the two main agentic tools we use. Both run in your terminal and can read, write, and run files.
| Claude Code | OpenAI Codex | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Anthropic | OpenAI |
| Best models | Claude Opus 4.6, Sonnet 4.6 | GPT-4.1, o3 |
| Install | npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code |
npm install -g @openai/codex |
| Launch | claude |
codex |
| Sign in with | Claude account or Anthropic Console | ChatGPT account or OpenAI API key |
| Simplest plan | Claude Pro ($20/mo) | ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo) |
| Heavy use plan | Claude Max ($100+/mo) or API billing | ChatGPT Pro ($200/mo) or API billing |
| IDE extensions | VS Code, JetBrains | VS Code |
| Rule files | CLAUDE.md |
AGENTS.md |
| Integrations | Gmail, Google Calendar, Todoist, and more via MCP | Fewer built-in integrations currently |
| Strengths | Long context, strong writing, extensive tool ecosystem | Strong coding, fast iteration |
Both are good. We primarily demo Claude Code, but the concepts transfer.
Plans and pricing
Subscription plans (simplest way to start)
| Plan | Cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Free | $0 | Chat only, limited usage |
| Claude Pro | $20/mo | Chat + Claude Code access, generous limits |
| Claude Max | $100–200/mo | Much higher limits for heavy use |
| ChatGPT Free | $0 | Chat only, limited models |
| ChatGPT Plus | $20/mo | Chat + Codex access, better models |
| ChatGPT Pro | $200/mo | Highest limits |
| UVM Copilot | Free (UVM account) | Microsoft Copilot Chat — good for Office tasks |
For most faculty: Claude Pro or ChatGPT Plus is the right starting point. Pick whichever ecosystem appeals to you. PDF funds may cover subscriptions — ask your department chair.
The $20/mo subscription is not just chat. Claude Pro includes Claude Code (the terminal tool), and ChatGPT Plus includes Codex. You also get access to integrations with Gmail, Google Calendar, Todoist, and more — all the advanced workflows shown on our Bells & Whistles page. You do not need a separate API account or additional purchases.
API pricing (pay-as-you-go)
If you outgrow the subscription or want more control, both companies offer API billing where you pay per token.
| Model | Input (per 1M tokens) | Output (per 1M tokens) |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Sonnet 4.6 | $3.00 | $15.00 |
| Claude Opus 4.6 | $15.00 | $75.00 |
| Claude Haiku 4.5 | $0.80 | $4.00 |
| GPT-4o | $2.50 | $10.00 |
| GPT-4.1 | $2.00 | $8.00 |
| GPT-4o mini | $0.15 | $0.60 |
| Gemini 2.5 Pro | $1.25 | $10.00 |
A token ≈ ¾ of a word. Most people don’t need API billing — the subscription covers it.
Install guide
Step 1: Install Node.js (required for both tools)
- Go to nodejs.org
- Click the big green LTS download button
- Run the installer — accept all the defaults
Step 2: Install your tool
Open your terminal:
- Mac: Search for “Terminal” in Spotlight, or find it in Applications → Utilities
- Windows: Search for “PowerShell” in the Start menu
Then run one (or both):
# Claude Code
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
# OpenAI Codex
npm install -g @openai/codexStep 3: Launch it
claude # for Claude Code
codex # for CodexIt will ask you to sign in. Follow the prompts.
Checking your usage
If you are using Claude Code with a paid subscription:
npx claude-spend— shows session and weekly limits, extra paid usagenpx ccusage@latest— alternative usage tracker
Usage limits can change over time. Some models are cheaper than others.
Optional extras
- Ghostty (free) — A modern terminal app. Looks nicer than the default.
- VS Code (free) — A code editor. Both Claude Code and Codex have VS Code extensions.
- Typora ($15) — A Markdown viewer. AI tools produce
.mdfiles; Typora makes them look like formatted text immediately.
Key terms
| Term | What we mean |
|---|---|
| Agent | A tool instance carrying out a bounded task with some autonomy |
| Model | The underlying AI system (e.g., Claude Sonnet, GPT-4o) |
| Session | One conversation or working thread with the tool |
| Context window | The working memory in the current session — when full, performance degrades |
| Artifact | A concrete output: file, draft, memo, script, table, or slide |
| Rule file | Standing instructions (CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md) that load automatically |
| Token | The unit AI models process — roughly ¾ of a word |
| MCP | Model Context Protocol — how tools connect to external services (email, calendar, etc.) |