#CharlesCountyBuiltThis Start building ↗
Before build day

Get your laptop ready in about 10 minutes.

Choose your device and one AI assistant. We will give you only the steps you need.

1 What kind of computer are you bringing?
2 Which AI assistant do you want to use?

Already prefer something else? These are three common choices, not requirements. You may use another tool—such as Cursor, Perplexity, GitHub Copilot, or another AI assistant—if you prefer. Check that platform’s official website for its setup and subscription instructions.

Choose a device and an assistant.

Your personalized checklist will open next.

The real lesson

You do not have to figure this out alone.

Your AI assistant can explain every step, check your work, and help fix what goes wrong. Ask questions in ordinary language.

“I’m new to this. Walk me through one step at a time, explain why we’re doing it, and pause after each step.”
Your web AI can help, too

Already use ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini online?

Open the chat you already know, give it this helper-page link, and ask it to walk you through your setup. It can explain unfamiliar words and help when a step does not look right.

Open ChatGPT ↗ Open Claude ↗ Open Gemini ↗
Read https://charlescounty.builtthis.ai/setup/ and help me prepare my computer for this event. Ask which device and AI tool I chose, then guide me one step at a time. Explain why before changing anything and pause after each step.

Still stuck? Email events@builtthis.ai. We’ll human you through it.

Already ready?

Choose something to build.

Bring your own idea or pick a project template.

Find my project →
Later — not homework

Want the power-user setup?

After the basics work, learn about faster permission modes, trusted skills, and Rust Token Killer. None of this is required before the event.

See advanced options

Building as a family?

Ages 13–17 may use an AI tool hands-on when its terms allow and required guardian permission is in place. For ages 5–12, the adult operates the tool unless the provider expressly supports supervised child access. Children can still lead the ideas, choices, creativity, and testing. Keep children’s personal information out of prompts.