My Complete AI Developer Setup (and How to Copy It)

If you want to build software with AI, your default laptop setup is slowing you down. Most dev-channel content reviews one tool. Almost nobody shows the integrated workflow — Windows → WSL → Warp → AI in one chain. That integration is the whole point.

This is my exact setup, and exactly how to copy it to your own machine today.

1. WSL — a real Linux environment inside Windows

I'm on Windows. But the tools I use — and the servers my code runs on — are Linux. WSL gives me a real Linux environment inside Windows, so my terminal, my file paths, and my build tools match production. No more "works on my machine" surprises.

One command, then restart:

wsl --install

That's it. Reboot, and you've got Ubuntu running inside Windows. If you already have WSL, run wsl --update to get the latest.

Pro tip: you can cd into your Windows files from inside WSL at /mnt/c/Users/..., so you don't have to move anything.

2. Warp — the terminal that treats you like an editor

The default terminal hasn't changed in 30 years. Warp treats the terminal like a modern editor — it blocks every command, autocompletes, and you can click to edit. Once you use it, the normal terminal feels broken.

Setup:

1. Download from warp.dev (free).
2. In Warp settings, set the default shell to WSL (\\wsl$\Ubuntu or pick Ubuntu from the profile dropdown).
3. Type git and let Warp suggest the rest — that's the autocomplete demo.

Make the font huge. Phone viewers will thank you, and it matters more than you think.

3. The AI part — Claude + GLM

The setup is just table stakes. The part that actually changes how I work is letting AI write the boring code while I stay in flow.

Pick a small, self-contained task so it's believable in 60 seconds. Example: write a Node script that renames every .jpeg in a folder to .jpg. The prompt:

Write a Node.js script that renames every .jpeg file in the
current folder to .jpg. Use fs.promises. Include error handling.

The flow: paste the prompt → get the code → save it as rename.js → run node rename.js → show the before/after.

Which AI to start with? Claude for reasoning, GLM if you want a free option that still writes solid code. Both work. Don't get paralyzed choosing — pick one and actually use it.

FAQ

Is Warp free?

Yes — download it from warp.dev, then set the default shell to WSL (pick Ubuntu from the profile dropdown) in Warp settings. It treats the terminal like a modern editor: blocks every command, autocompletes, click-to-edit.

How do I install WSL on Windows?

One command: wsl --install, then restart. You get Ubuntu running inside Windows. If you already have WSL, run wsl --update for the latest version.

Can I access my Windows files from inside WSL?

Yes — your Windows drives are mounted at /mnt/c/Users/..., so you can cd into your existing files without moving anything.

Should I start with Claude or GLM?

Claude if you want the stronger reasoning; GLM if you want a free option that still writes solid code. Both work — don't get paralyzed choosing. Pick one and actually use it.

The lead magnet

The exact commands and links — the WSL install, the Warp download, and that rename prompt — go in a free text file. Pin it as the first comment. That's the whole growth play.

What's next

This is episode 1 of a 3-part series:

1. ✅ The Ultimate AI Dev Laptop Setup (this one)
2. How to master WSL & Warp Terminal for coding
3. Using Claude Code with GLM (deep dive)

Subscribe to devkingov for the next two.