> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.getseam.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.getseam.xyz/get-started/local-environment-setup.md). # Local Environment Setup To get started building on Seam, the only requirement is a Node JS environment. Seam miniapps are written in [Typescript](https://www.typescriptlang.org/) and are [React](https://react.dev/) components. Read on to get setup with the programming tools on your own computer. ### Node, NPM & Yarn Node.js is the runtime environment that most modern JavaScript applications use to run their code. Like all JavaScript projects, Seam has dependencies on 3rd party packages which provide additional functionality for the miniapps and also getting the web app to work as intended. To install and manage these dependencies, a package manager is required. At Seam, we prefer [Yarn](https://yarnpkg.com/getting-started) over [NPM](https://www.npmjs.com/). In our documentation, you'll often see `yarn install` or `yarn start`. This is because Yarn is faster and more secure than the Node Package Manager (NPM). Of course, a code editor is also necessary. We recommend [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) which is a free, open source text editor made by Microsoft. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.getseam.xyz/get-started/local-environment-setup.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.