2  Setup

Everything in this clinic runs on the NMFS Openscapes JupyterHub. You do not need an AI account, an API key, or anything installed on your own computer. You need a GitHub account.

2.1 1. Log in to GitHub

In your browser, log in to github.com. The hub uses your GitHub account to let you in.

2.2 2. Go to the hub

Open https://nmfs-openscapes.2i2c.cloud/ and sign in with GitHub.

2.3 3. Start a server with 4 GB

On the server options page, choose the 4 GB size and click Start. It can take a minute or two to start.

2.4 4. Open a terminal

In JupyterLab: File → New → Terminal.

2.5 5. Run the workshop script

In the terminal, run:

~/shared/workshop/claude-agent-coders

When it asks, type the workshop code your organizer gives you (or paste the key starting with sk- if you were given one). The script gets you a personal key, shows your budget and when it expires, installs Claude Code, and starts it.

The first start asks a few setup questions. Pick a theme. When it asks whether to trust this folder, say no. It is asking about your home directory, and you do not want the agent working across everything in it. This step is only to get Claude Code installed and your key saved. If Claude Code starts anyway, type /exit to close it.

2.6 6. Log in to GitHub from the terminal

gh auth login

Answer the prompts:

  • Where do you use GitHub? GitHub.com
  • Preferred protocol for Git operations? HTTPS
  • Authenticate Git with your GitHub credentials? Yes
  • How would you like to authenticate? Login with a web browser

It prints a one-time code. Copy it, open the link it shows, paste the code, and approve. When the terminal says you are logged in, you are done.

2.7 7. Make your own copy of the practice repository

Create a repository in your own GitHub account from the NOAA Quarto book template, and clone it to the hub:

cd ~
gh repo create my-quarto-book --template nmfs-opensci/NOAA-quarto-book --public --clone

You can use any name in place of my-quarto-book. You now have ~/my-quarto-book on the hub and a matching repository on your GitHub.

2.8 8. Start Claude Code in your repository

Open a new terminal (the short command does not work in the terminal you used for step 5), then:

cd ~/my-quarto-book
claude-agent-coders

This time, say yes to trusting the folder: this is the repository you want the agent to work in.

Try a first prompt:

What is this repository? List the main files and what they do.

If the agent reads your files and answers, you are set up.

2.9 Good to know

  • Check your spending: claude-agent-coders --budget shows what you have spent, your budget, and when your key expires. Spending shows up about a minute after you use Claude.
  • Switch models inside Claude Code with /model, for example /model claude-sonnet-4-6. The default, Claude Haiku 4.5, is the cheapest.
  • Your own Claude account is untouched. claude-agent-coders keeps its settings in ~/.config/claude-agent-coders/claude, separate from ~/.claude.
  • The full path always works: if claude-agent-coders is not found, use ~/shared/workshop/claude-agent-coders.

2.10 If something goes wrong

  • “That workshop code is not right”: check the code and try again.
  • “That key was not accepted”: paste the whole key, starting with sk-. If it still fails, ask your organizer.
  • “A key for … was already issued”: you, or someone using your name, already signed up. Ask your organizer.
  • “All workshop keys are handed out”, “sign-up is closed” or “has ended”: ask your organizer.
  • “not set up yet” or “Could not reach the workshop gateway”: the gateway is not running. Ask your organizer.
  • A key from an earlier workshop: run claude-agent-coders --reset, then claude-agent-coders and enter the new code.