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+# CuMind Development Environment Setup Guide
+
+This guide walks you through setting up the CuMind development environment on **macOS** and **Windows (WSL)** using GitHub, VSCode or Cursor, and `uv` for Python dependency management.
+
+## 1. Platform Prerequisites
+
+CuMind requires a Linux-based development environment.
+
+To achieve this on your machine:
+
+### On Windows:
+
+- Install WSL and Ubuntu by following the [official Microsoft guide](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install)
+- Recommended: WSL 2 and Ubuntu 22.04
+- After installation, open "Ubuntu" from the Start Menu to launch your WSL terminal
+- Use a code editor such as [VSCode](https://code.visualstudio.com/) or [Cursor](https://cursor.so) that supports WSL.  
+  If you're using VSCode, install the **Remote - WSL** extension — you'll use it to open and work with the project from inside your WSL environment after cloning the repository.
+  - Additional resource: [VSCode: Developing in WSL](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/remote/wsl)
+
+### On macOS:
+
+- No WSL needed — the built-in Terminal provides a compatible Unix-based environment
+- Use any local code editor such as [VSCode](https://code.visualstudio.com/) or [Cursor](https://cursor.so)
+
+## 2. Setup Python & `uv`
+
+### 1. **Install Python**
+
+Ensure Python 3.12 or higher is installed:
+
+```bash
+python3 --version
+```
+
+If not installed or the version is too old, install:
+
+- #### On WSL:
+
+  Install Python and pip:
+
+  ```bash
+  sudo apt update
+  sudo apt install python3 python3-pip
+  ```
+
+- #### On macOS:
+
+  ```bash
+  brew install python
+  ```
+
+### 2. **Install `uv`**
+
+Install the Python dependency manager `uv` using one of two ways:
+
+- Using pip/pipx:
+
+  ```bash
+  pip install uv
+  # or
+  pipx install uv
+  ```
+
+- Using the standalone installer:
+
+  ```bash
+  curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh
+  ```
+
+  To update, run:
+
+  ```bash
+  uv self update
+  ```
+
+More details: [uv documentation](https://astral.sh/uv/)
+
+## 4. Clone Repo and Setup Git Authentication
+
+You can clone the repo using either **SSH** or **HTTPS**.
+
+### Option 1: SSH (Recommended)
+
+1. Generate a new SSH key (if you don't have one already):
+
+```bash
+ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -f ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com"
+```
+
+2. Copy your public key:
+
+```bash
+cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
+```
+
+3. Add it to GitHub:
+   [https://github.com/settings/ssh/new](https://github.com/settings/ssh/new)
+
+4. Test your connection:
+
+```bash
+ssh -T git@github.com
+```
+
+5. Clone the repo:
+
+```bash
+git clone git@github.com:carletonai/CuMind.git
+```
+
+> If you already have an SSH key and have it registered with GitHub, skip steps 1–3.
+
+### Option 2: HTTPS
+
+Clone the repo using:
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/carletonai/CuMind.git
+```
+
+You’ll be prompted to enter your GitHub **username** and a **personal access token** (PAT) instead of a password.
+Generate a PAT here: [https://github.com/settings/tokens](https://github.com/settings/tokens)
+
+## 5. Set Up and Run the Project
+
+Once the repo is cloned, navigate to it and install dependencies:
+
+```bash
+cd CuMind
+uv sync
+```
+
+Test out running a specific file to make sure your setup is working:
+
+`uv run python src/cartpole.py`
+
+To run the full application:
+
+`uv run python -m cumind --config configuration.json`
+
+## 6. Test Your Git Setup
+
+Make sure you can push a new branch:
+
+```bash
+git checkout -b test-branch
+git push origin test-branch
+```
+
+Once confirmed, please delete the test branch:
+
+`git push origin --delete test-branch`
+
+## You’re Ready!
+
+You should now be able to develop and contribute to CuMind locally. If you run into issues, feel free to reach out on Discord.