Software List

Required Software

Software	Description	Download
PowerShell	Modern shell	Microsoft Docs
Scoop	Windows package manager	scoop.sh
Starship	Shell prompt	starship.rs
Git	Version control	git-scm.com
Make	Build automation tool	scoop
Cursor	AI-powered code editor	cursor.com
VS Code	Code editor	code.visualstudio.com
MSSQL Extension	SQL Server for VS Code	Microsoft Docs
Docker	Container platform	docker.com
Node.js	JavaScript runtime	nodejs.org
Python	Programming language	python.org
Go	Programming language & Air live reload	go.dev
Greenshot	Screenshot tool	getgreenshot.org
Espanso	Text expander	espanso.org
Typora	Markdown editor	typora.io

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PowerShell

Modern cross-platform shell.

WindowsmacOS

# winget (recommended)
winget install Microsoft.PowerShell

# MSI installer
# Download from https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/install/install-powershell-on-windows

For silent MSI install:

msiexec.exe /package PowerShell-7.5.4-win-x64.msi /quiet ADD_EXPLORER_CONTEXT_MENU_OPENPOWERSHELL=1 ADD_FILE_CONTEXT_MENU_RUNPOWERSHELL=1 ENABLE_PSREMOTING=1 REGISTER_MANIFEST=1 USE_MU=1 ENABLE_MU=1 ADD_PATH=1

brew install powershell

NOTE: See Microsoft Docs for all installation options including MSI, ZIP, and .NET Global tool.

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Scoop

Windows package manager for installing dev tools.

Windows

# Install scoop
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
Invoke-RestMethod -Uri https://get.scoop.sh | Invoke-Expression

Custom Install Directory (C:\Install\Programs)

To install scoop packages to a custom directory instead of ~\scoop\apps\:

One-time Setup (Run as Administrator):

# 1. Set the global install path environment variable
$env:SCOOP_GLOBAL = 'C:\Install\Programs'
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable('SCOOP_GLOBAL', $env:SCOOP_GLOBAL, 'Machine')

# 2. Restart terminal to apply changes

Install Packages Globally:

# Use -g flag to install to global directory
scoop install make -g

Verify Installation:

# Check install location
scoop which make

# Test
make --version

NOTE: Global installs (-g) go to C:\Install\Programs. Regular installs go to ~\scoop\apps\. PATH is automatically updated by scoop.

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Starship

Cross-shell prompt with customization.

WindowsmacOS

# winget
winget install Starship.Starship

# scoop
scoop install starship

brew install starship

NOTE: See Terminal Setup for shell configuration.

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Git

Version control system.

WindowsmacOS

# winget
winget install Git.Git

# scoop
scoop install git

brew install git

NOTE: See Git SSH Setup for SSH configuration.

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Make

Build automation tool commonly used for compiling code and running tasks.

WindowsmacOSLinux

# scoop (recommended)
scoop install make

# scoop global (to custom directory)
scoop install make -g

# Included with Xcode Command Line Tools
xcode-select --install

# Or via brew
brew install make

# Usually pre-installed, otherwise:
sudo apt install make      # Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dnf install make      # Fedora

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Cursor

AI-powered code editor built on VS Code.

WindowsmacOS

# winget
winget install Cursor.Cursor

# manual
# Download from https://cursor.com

brew install --cask cursor

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VS Code

Code editor by Microsoft.

WindowsmacOS

# winget
winget install Microsoft.VisualStudioCode

# scoop
scoop install vscode

brew install --cask visual-studio-code

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MSSQL Extension (VS Code)

SQL Server extension for VS Code. Replaces Azure Data Studio (discontinued).

VS Code

1. Open VS Code
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+X (Extensions)
3. Search for mssql
4. Install SQL Server (mssql)

Or via command line:

code --install-extension ms-mssql.mssql

NOTE: Azure Data Studio is no longer being developed. Use the MSSQL extension in VS Code instead. See Microsoft Docs for details.

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Docker

Container platform for building and running applications.

WindowsmacOS

# winget
winget install Docker.DockerDesktop

# scoop
scoop install docker

brew install --cask docker

NOTE: See Docker Setup for custom install paths and VDI configuration.

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Node.js

JavaScript runtime.

WindowsmacOS

# winget
winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS

# scoop
scoop install nodejs-lts

brew install node

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Python

Programming language.

WindowsmacOS

# winget
winget install Python.Python.3.12

# scoop
scoop install python

brew install python

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Go

Programming language by Google. Includes Air for live reload during development.

NOTE: See Go Setup for installation and Air live reload setup.

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Greenshot

Screenshot tool for Windows.

WindowsmacOS

# winget
winget install Greenshot.Greenshot

# scoop
scoop install greenshot

# manual
# Download from https://getgreenshot.org

Not available. Use built-in screenshot (Cmd+Shift+4) or Shottr.

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Espanso

Cross-platform text expander and snippet manager.

WindowsmacOSLinux

# winget
winget install Espanso.Espanso

# scoop
scoop install espanso

# manual
# Download from https://espanso.org/install

brew install espanso

# Snap
sudo snap install espanso --classic

# Manual
# See https://espanso.org/install

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Typora

Markdown editor with live preview.

WindowsmacOS

# winget
winget install Typora.Typora

# scoop (requires extras bucket)
scoop bucket add extras
scoop install typora

# manual
# Download from https://typora.io

brew install --cask typora

NOTE: Typora requires a license (not free). See typora.io for pricing.

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Windows Terminal + PowerShell Setup

When group policy blocks profile.ps1 execution, configure starship directly in Windows Terminal settings.

Terminal Settings

Open Windows Terminal → Settings → Profiles → PowerShell → Command line:

pwsh.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -NoExit -Command "Invoke-Expression (&starship init powershell)"

Or for Windows PowerShell (not pwsh):

powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -NoExit -Command "Invoke-Expression (&starship init powershell)"

settings.json

Open settings.json (Ctrl+Shift+,) and edit the PowerShell profile:

{
    "profiles": {
        "list": [
            {
                "name": "PowerShell",
                "commandline": "pwsh.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -NoExit -Command \"Invoke-Expression (&starship init powershell)\"",
                "font": {
                    "face": "JetBrainsMono Nerd Font"
                }
            }
        ]
    }
}

Flags explained:

Flag	Purpose
-ExecutionPolicy Bypass	Ignores group policy restriction
-NoExit	Keeps terminal open after command
-Command "..."	Runs starship init on startup