dev-tools-setup

Skill: Dev Tools Setup

Install and verify optional development tools that improve contributor experience.

Tool Registry

ripgrep (rg)

Ultra-fast regex search. Used by VS Code for workspace search and by AI agents (GitHub Copilot) to locate symbols quickly. Respects .gitignore — critical for large repos.

Platform	Command
Windows (winget, no admin)	winget install BurntSushi.ripgrep.MSVC
macOS (Homebrew)	brew install ripgrep
Linux Debian/Ubuntu	sudo apt-get install ripgrep
Linux Arch	sudo pacman -S ripgrep
Linux (any) via cargo	cargo install ripgrep

Verify: rg --version

Common usage:

rg "def send_email"          # find function definition across repo
rg "assignee_email" app/     # scoped search
rg -t py "except Exception"  # Python files only — find broad excepts

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jq

JSON pretty-printer and filter. Essential for reading JSON-Lines log output.

Platform	Command
Windows (winget, no admin)	winget install jqlang.jq
macOS (Homebrew)	brew install jq
Linux Debian/Ubuntu	sudo apt-get install jq

Verify: jq --version

Usage with repository logs:

# PowerShell: pretty-print JSON log stream (stderr suppressed)
python run.py dev 2>$null | jq .

# PowerShell: filter only WARNING and above
python run.py dev 2>$null | jq 'select(.level == "WARNING" or .level == "ERROR")'

# PowerShell: follow live log file
Get-Content logs/app.log -Wait | ForEach-Object { $_ | jq . }

# bash/macOS/Linux equivalents
python run.py dev 2>/dev/null | jq .
tail -f logs/app.log | jq .

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yq

YAML query and transformation CLI. Useful for inspecting Kubernetes manifests, compose files, and other YAML configs.

Platform	Command
Windows (winget, no admin)	winget install MikeFarah.yq
macOS (Homebrew)	brew install yq
Linux Debian/Ubuntu	sudo snap install yq

Verify: yq --version

Common usage:

yq '.services.web.image' docker-compose.local.yml
yq '.metadata.name' k8s/deployment.yaml
yq '.[] | select(.priority <= 1)' sample.yaml

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GitHub Copilot CLI (copilot)

Standalone AI coding agent in the terminal. The old gh copilot extension is retired; Copilot CLI is now an independent tool installed directly.

Requires an active GitHub Copilot subscription.

Platform	Command
Windows (winget, no admin)	winget install GitHub.Copilot
macOS (Homebrew)	brew install copilot-cli
All platforms (npm)	npm install -g @github/copilot
macOS/Linux (install script)	curl -fsSL https://gh.io/copilot-install | bash

Verify: copilot --version

On first launch, run copilot and use the /login slash command to authenticate with GitHub.

Usage:

copilot                                      # interactive session
copilot -p "explain git rebase -i HEAD~3"   # single prompt (programmatic)
copilot -p "delete all merged local branches" --allow-tool shell

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fd (fd-find)

Faster alternative to find. Optional but useful for file discovery.

Platform	Command
Windows (winget, no admin)	winget install sharkdp.fd
macOS (Homebrew)	brew install fd
Linux Debian/Ubuntu	sudo apt-get install fd-find

Verify: fd --version

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Installation Workflow

When a user reports a tool is missing or asks how to install it:

1. Identify the tool from the Tool Registry above.
2. Detect platform: Windows → winget; macOS → brew; Linux → apt or pacman.
3. Provide the single-line install command from the registry.
4. Run the verify command to confirm installation.
5. If the user is on Windows and lacks admin: all winget commands above work without admin.

Troubleshooting

winget not found (Windows)

winget ships with Windows 10 1709+ and Windows 11. If missing:

• Open Microsoft Store → search "App Installer" → install it.
• Or check: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller

brew not found (macOS)

Install Homebrew first:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Copilot CLI not authenticating

On first launch, run copilot interactively and enter /login to authenticate with GitHub. Ensure your account has an active GitHub Copilot subscription.

cargo not in PATH (for Rust tools)

Install Rust toolchain:

• Windows/macOS/Linux: curl https://sh.rustup.rs -sSf | sh
• Windows (winget): winget install Rustlang.Rustup