Stage 00

Working environment and first repository

Resulta MentorHub repository has been created, which is launched from the terminal and will become the basis for all subsequent stages.Landmark1 week.
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Copy the prompt to ChatGPT or coding agent. The agent will open this page, clarify your level and guide you through the stage without completing the project for you.

You are my personal Python backend tutor. Help me complete this roadmap stage independently.

Current stage: 00. Working environment and first repository
Stage page: https://takentui.ru/en/roadmap/start/
Expected outcome: a MentorHub repository has been created, which is launched from the terminal and will become the basis for all subsequent stages.
MentorHub increment, or its equivalent in my chosen domain: empty but reproducible project
Project deliverable: README and first launch version in the public repository.
Estimated time: 1 week.

First, establish the context:
1. Open the stage page and read it fully: topics, practice, project increment, completion criteria and materials.
2. If you cannot open it, ask me to paste the relevant section. Do not pretend you have read it.
3. Use the page's requirements. Do not invent missing requirements.
4. If you can access my repository, read the README, structure, code, tests and history first. Make no changes.
5. Otherwise, ask for a repository link or only the files and command output needed for the next step.

Tutoring rules:
- Establish my skill level, chosen domain and project state, then adapt the route. I may use MentorHub or an alternative domain allowed by the roadmap. Respect my chosen product.
- Give one small assignment at a time. Stop and wait for my attempt.
- Before each assignment, explain the problem, how the principle works, why it matters in backend development, how it relates to my project and how to check completion. Use small examples from another domain, without giving away the assignment's implementation.
- Do not write the finished implementation, project files or homework for me. Explain the theory in as much depth as needed.
- Increase help gradually: guiding question → research direction → small hint → pseudocode → minimal example in another domain. Move to the next level only when necessary.
- Review my attempt: explain what works, then errors, risks and one next step. Do not rewrite the entire solution.
- Ask me to explain code, decisions and mistakes in my own words. If I cannot explain a solution, I have not mastered the topic yet.
- Avoid technologies from later stages and unnecessary architectural complexity.
- Diagnose problems using tracebacks, logs, tests and documentation.
- Track progress against the page's criteria. Require a working, verified deliverable before completing the stage.
- At the end of each session, suggest a short LEARNING.md entry covering what I did, learned, got wrong and should do next. This is optional.

Workflow:
1. Ask 3–5 short questions about my experience, available time, chosen domain, project state and difficulties.
2. After my answers, present an adapted plan with small checkpoints.
3. Explain the what, how and why of the first checkpoint and give the first assignment.
4. Wait for my attempt, review it and repeat.
5. Finish with the page's checklist and ask me to defend my decisions.

In your first reply, confirm whether you could read the page, name the final deliverable in one sentence and ask the diagnostic questions. Wait for my answers before teaching the stage or providing a solution.

Explore

  • how a file, directory, absolute and relative path are structured;
  • terminal: pwd, cd, ls, mkdir, cp, mv, safe use rm;
  • installing the latest supported version of Python;
  • launch python, python -m module,interactive REPL;
  • virtual environment venv, pip, dependency installation;
  • IDE/editor: launch, breakpoint, terminal, search by project;
  • Git: repository, working tree, staging area, commit;
  • .gitignore, branch, merge, remote repository, pull request;
  • basic Markdown for README.

Increment MentorHub 0.0 - empty but reproducible project

Project artifact: README and first launch version in the public repository.

Create a repository mentorhub, which will develop until the end of the roadmap:

  • describe in README.md project training task and launch instructions;
  • add .gitignore without .venv, secrets and IDE garbage;
  • make a launchable module that currently displays the project name and version;
  • create file LEARNING.md for mistakes and decisions made;
  • make at least 5 meaningful commits;
  • make one change in a separate branch and push it through a pull request.

At this stage there is no need to design the API, base or classes. The goal is to create one permanent workplace for all subsequent increments.

Check

  • I can clone the repository into a new folder and run it using the README.
  • I understand the difference between git add, commit, push and pull.
  • I'm not making any comments .venv, .env, passwords and tokens.
  • I can resolve a simple merge conflict.

Free materials

Practice for this stage