Session #2:

Building Blocks Overview

45 minutes | Understanding the Tools

The Toolchain

Today you'll work with:

• Git - Saves versions of your work
• GitHub - Stores your code online
• Cursor - AI editor that speaks human language
• Render - Hosts your game on the internet
• MCP - Connects Cursor to external tools

You'll speak to Cursor. Cursor orchestrates the rest.

Part 1: Understanding Git (15 min)

What is Git?

Think of it as "Track Changes" for code.

• Save snapshots of your work as you build
• Undo mistakes without losing everything
• See what changed and when

The Four Key Concepts

1. Repository (Repo)

• A folder that contains your entire project
• Lives on GitHub so it's backed up

2. Commit

• A saved snapshot of your work
• Like clicking "Save Version" in Google Docs
• Includes a message: "Added lobby feature"

3. Branch

• A separate timeline to try new things
• Main branch = production (what's live)
• Feature branch = experimental work

4. Pull Request (PR)

• "Hey, review my changes before merging"
• Moves code from feature branch → main branch
• Safety check before going live

Hands-On: Create Your Repository (10 min)

Everyone do this now:

1. Go to github.com
2. Click "New repository"
3. Name it: simon-game-training
4. Set to Public
5. Do NOT initialize with README
6. Click "Create repository"

Verification:
You should see an empty repo with setup instructions.

Don't follow those instructions - we'll use Cursor instead.

Part 2: Understanding Render (10 min)

What is Render?

It takes your code and makes it live on the internet.

• You'll get a URL: your-game.onrender.com
• Anyone can visit and play
• Automatically rebuilds when you update code

Why Do We Need It?

Your laptop → The Internet

Right now, your game only runs on your laptop.

Render:

• Hosts your frontend (what players see)
• Hosts your backend (game logic, multiplayer sync)
• Gives you a shareable link

By 5pm, you'll text your friends the link and they can play.

Hands-On: Render MCP Setup (10 min)

Step 1: Get Your Render API Key

1. Go to render.com (you should already have an account)
2. Click your profile → Account Settings
3. Scroll to API Keys
4. Click "Generate New Key"
5. Copy the key (you won't see it again!)

Step 2: Configure Cursor

1. Open Cursor
2. Go to Settings → MCP
3. Click "Add Server"
4. Select "Render"
5. Paste your API key
6. Click "Save"

Step 3: Verification

In Cursor, open the chat and type:

Expected response:
"You have no services yet" or an empty list.

If you see this → MCP is working!

You're Ready to Build

What you now have:

• ✅ Empty GitHub repo (version control ready)
• ✅ Cursor connected to Render (deployment ready)
• ✅ Understanding of the toolchain

Next up:
We start building the context - the brain of your game.

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