technical-tutorials

When the user wants to create step-by-step technical tutorials, quickstarts, or code walkthroughs. Trigger phrases include "tutorial," "quickstart," "getting started guide," "walkthrough," "step by step," "how to guide," "hands-on guide," or "code tutorial."

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Repository: canar1406/thaytrieu
Last source activity: July 5, 2026 at 20:57
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name	technical-tutorials
description	When the user wants to create step-by-step technical tutorials, quickstarts, or code walkthroughs. Trigger phrases include "tutorial," "quickstart," "getting started guide," "walkthrough," "step by step," "how to guide," "hands-on guide," or "code tutorial."
risk	unknown
source	https://github.com/jonathimer/devmarketing-skills/tree/main/skills/technical-tutorials
source_repo	jonathimer/devmarketing-skills
source_type	community
date_added	"2026-07-01T00:00:00.000Z"
license	MIT
license_source	https://github.com/jonathimer/devmarketing-skills/blob/main/LICENSE

Technical Tutorials

When to Use

Use this skill when you need when the user wants to create step-by-step technical tutorials, quickstarts, or code walkthroughs. Trigger phrases include "tutorial," "quickstart," "getting started guide," "walkthrough," "step by step," "how to guide," "hands-on guide," or "code tutorial.".

This skill helps you create step-by-step tutorials that actually work. Covers prerequisite handling, progressive complexity, troubleshooting sections, and creating those satisfying "it works!" moments.

Before You Start

Load your audience context first. Read .agents/developer-audience-context.md to understand:

Developer skill level (beginner, intermediate, senior)
Tech stack familiarity (what can you assume they know?)
Environment (macOS, Linux, Windows, cloud)
Why they're learning (job, side project, curiosity)

If the context file doesn't exist, run the developer-audience-context skill first.

Tutorial Types

Type	Length	Purpose	Example
Quickstart	5-10 min	First success ASAP	"Make your first API call"
Tutorial	20-45 min	Learn a concept deeply	"Build a REST API with Node.js"
Workshop	1-3 hours	Comprehensive project	"Build a full-stack app"
Code walkthrough	Varies	Explain existing code	"Understanding our SDK architecture"

The Tutorial Structure

Anatomy of a Great Tutorial

1. Title & Meta
   - What you'll build
   - Time estimate
   - Prerequisites

2. Overview
   - What you'll learn
   - Final result preview

3. Prerequisites Check
   - Environment setup
   - Verification commands

4. The Build (Progressive Steps)
   - Step 1: Simplest foundation
   - Step 2: Add one concept
   - Step 3: Add complexity
   - [Checkpoint: "It works!" moment]
   - Step 4: Continue building
   - ...
   - [Final checkpoint]

5. What You Built
   - Recap
   - Complete code

6. Troubleshooting
   - Common errors
   - Debugging tips

7. Next Steps
   - Where to go from here
   - Related tutorials

Prerequisites Handling

The Prerequisites Section

## Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you have:

| Requirement | Version | Check Command |
|-------------|---------|---------------|
| Node.js | 18+ | `node --version` |
| npm | 9+ | `npm --version` |
| Git | Any | `git --version` |

You should also be comfortable with:
- Basic JavaScript (variables, functions, async/await)
- Command line basics (cd, mkdir, running commands)
- REST API concepts (HTTP methods, JSON)

**New to any of these?** Check out [link to prerequisite tutorial].

## Setting Up Your Environment

### 1. Create Project Directory

\`\`\`bash
mkdir my-awesome-project
cd my-awesome-project
\`\`\`

### 2. Initialize the Project

\`\`\`bash
npm init -y
\`\`\`

You should see output like:
\`\`\`json
{
  "name": "my-awesome-project",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  ...
}
\`\`\`

### 3. Install Dependencies

\`\`\`bash
npm install express dotenv
\`\`\`

### 4. Verify Installation

\`\`\`bash
node -e "require('express'); console.log('Express installed!')"
\`\`\`

Expected output: `Express installed!`

Layer	What It Does	Example
1. Skeleton	Minimum viable code that runs	"Hello World" server
2. Core feature	Primary functionality	Add one API endpoint
3. Real data	Replace hardcoded values	Connect to database
4. Error handling	Production-ready patterns	Add try/catch, validation
5. Polish	Nice-to-haves	Logging, config, tests

// Here's the complete file with everything
const express = require('express');
const { Pool } = require('pg');
const helmet = require('helmet');
const rateLimit = require('express-rate-limit');
const winston = require('winston');
// ... 200 more lines

const express = require('express');
const app = express();

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Hello World!');
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Server running on http://localhost:3000');
});

// Add this below your existing route
app.get('/api/users', (req, res) => {
  res.json([{ id: 1, name: 'Jane' }]);
});

Test	How to Verify
Runs standalone	Copy into new file, execute, it works
Imports included	All `require`/`import` statements present
No undefined variables	No references to code from other steps without showing it
Environment agnostic	Works on Mac/Linux/Windows
Comments explain why	Not what (code shows what), but why

// server.js - Add this to your existing file
const rateLimit = require('express-rate-limit');

// Add this BEFORE your routes
const limiter = rateLimit({
  windowMs: 15 * 60 * 1000, // 15 minutes
  max: 100 // limit each IP to 100 requests per window
});

app.use(limiter);

my-project/
├── src/
│   ├── index.js      ← You're editing this
│   ├── routes/
│   │   └── users.js
│   └── db/
│       └── connection.js
├── package.json
└── .env

// src/index.js
const express = require('express');
const app = express();

// ✅ ADD THIS: Import your new route
const userRoutes = require('./routes/users');

// ✅ ADD THIS: Use the route
app.use('/api/users', userRoutes);

app.listen(3000);

## Checkpoint: Test Your API

Let's make sure everything works before continuing.

**Start your server:**
\`\`\`bash
node server.js
\`\`\`

**In a new terminal, test the endpoint:**
\`\`\`bash
curl http://localhost:3000/api/users
\`\`\`

**You should see:**
\`\`\`json
[{"id": 1, "name": "Jane"}]
\`\`\`

🎉 **It works!** Your API is returning data.

If you don't see this output, check the [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting) section.

## Troubleshooting

### "Error: Cannot find module 'express'"

**Cause:** Dependencies weren't installed.

**Fix:**
\`\`\`bash
npm install
\`\`\`

---

### "EADDRINUSE: address already in use :::3000"

**Cause:** Another process is using port 3000.

**Fix (macOS/Linux):**
\`\`\`bash
# Find the process
lsof -i :3000

# Kill it (replace PID with actual number)
kill -9 PID
\`\`\`

**Or use a different port:**
\`\`\`javascript
app.listen(process.env.PORT || 3001);
\`\`\`

---

### "SyntaxError: Unexpected token"

**Cause:** Likely a typo or missing bracket.

**Debug steps:**
1. Check the line number in the error
2. Look for missing `,`, `}`, or `)`
3. Verify all strings are closed with matching quotes

⚠️ **Windows users:** Use `set` instead of `export`:
\`\`\`bash
# macOS/Linux
export API_KEY=your_key

# Windows Command Prompt
set API_KEY=your_key

# Windows PowerShell
$env:API_KEY="your_key"
\`\`\`

# [Product] Quickstart: [What You'll Do] in 5 Minutes

Get [specific outcome] in under 5 minutes.

## Prerequisites

- [Requirement 1]
- [Requirement 2]

## Step 1: Install

\`\`\`bash
npm install your-package
\`\`\`

## Step 2: Configure

Create a `.env` file:
\`\`\`
API_KEY=your_key_here
\`\`\`

## Step 3: Write Code

Create `index.js`:
\`\`\`javascript
// Complete, working code
\`\`\`

## Step 4: Run It

\`\`\`bash
node index.js
\`\`\`

Expected output:
\`\`\`
[Output here]
\`\`\`

## 🎉 You Did It!

You just [accomplished thing].

**Next steps:**
- [Link to full tutorial]
- [Link to API docs]
- [Link to examples repo]

# Build a [Thing] with [Technology]

Learn how to [outcome] by building [specific project].

| | |
|---|---|
| **Time** | 30 minutes |
| **Level** | Intermediate |
| **Prerequisites** | Node.js 18+, basic JavaScript |

## What You'll Build

[Screenshot or diagram of final result]

By the end, you'll have:
- ✅ [Capability 1]
- ✅ [Capability 2]
- ✅ [Capability 3]

## Prerequisites

### Required Software

| Tool | Version | Verify |
|------|---------|--------|
| Node.js | 18+ | `node -v` |

### Required Knowledge

- [Concept 1] — [link to learn]
- [Concept 2] — [link to learn]

## Step 1: Project Setup

[Setup instructions with verification]

**Checkpoint:** You should see `[expected output]`.

## Step 2: [First Feature]

[Instructions]

**Checkpoint:** Test with `[command]`.

## Step 3: [Second Feature]

[Instructions]

## Step 4: [Third Feature]

[Instructions]

**Checkpoint:** Your app should now [do thing].

## Complete Code

Here's everything together:

\`\`\`javascript
// Full final code
\`\`\`

## Troubleshooting

### [Common Error 1]
[Solution]

### [Common Error 2]
[Solution]

## What You Learned

- [Key concept 1]
- [Key concept 2]
- [Key concept 3]

## Next Steps

- **Go deeper:** [Link to advanced tutorial]
- **Explore:** [Link to related feature]
- **Get help:** [Link to Discord/community]

Tool	Use Case
Octolens	Find common questions and errors developers encounter. Monitor Stack Overflow and GitHub issues for troubleshooting content.
Replit/CodeSandbox	Embed runnable examples
Carbon/Ray.so	Beautiful code screenshots
Excalidraw	Architecture diagrams
Terminalizer	Record terminal sessions
Loom	Quick video supplements