Set Up Your Developer Accounts
You're setting up the same workflow professional developers use: version control (GitHub), deployment platform (Vercel), domain management (Cloudflare), and AI assistance.
1. GitHub
Version Control & Code Hosting
What is GitHub?
Git repository hosting platform. Think of it as version control in the cloud—every change to your code is tracked, you can roll back mistakes, and it integrates with modern deployment pipelines.
Why GitHub specifically?
- • Industry standard (used by 100M+ developers)
- • Best integration with Vercel (auto-deploy on push)
- • Free unlimited repos
- • Professional portfolio (your GitHub profile matters)
Setup Steps:
- 1. Go to github.com/signup
- 2. Choose username (professional—this becomes your developer identity)
- 3. Verify email
- 4. Complete setup
2. Vercel
Deployment Platform
What is Vercel?
Modern deployment platform built for frontend frameworks. Handles build process, CDN distribution, SSL certificates, and continuous deployment. When you push to GitHub, Vercel automatically rebuilds and deploys your app.
Why Vercel?
- • Zero-config deployment (auto-detects your framework)
- • Global CDN (fast loading worldwide)
- • Free SSL/HTTPS
- • Generous free tier (100GB bandwidth/month)
- • Preview deployments for every commit
Setup Steps:
- 1. Go to vercel.com/signup
- 2. Click "Continue with GitHub" (single sign-on)
- 3. Authorize Vercel to access your GitHub account
- 4. Done—accounts are now linked
3. Cloudflare
Domain Registrar & DNS
What is Cloudflare?
Domain registrar, DNS provider, CDN, and security platform. Cloudflare sells domains at cost with no markup, and has the best DNS infrastructure globally.
Why Cloudflare?
- • Price: At-cost pricing (~$15/year for .com)
- • No upsells: They don't try to sell you unnecessary add-ons
- • Best DNS: Fastest DNS network globally (1.1.1.1)
- • Vercel integration: One-click DNS configuration
Note: Don't buy a domain yet! We'll do that in Step 6 after you've built your app and chosen a name.
Setup Steps:
- 1. Go to cloudflare.com
- 2. Click "Sign Up"
- 3. Create account with email
- 4. Done (don't buy domain yet—Step 6)
4. Claude Pro
Your AI coding assistant
Recommended: Claude Pro ($20/month)
Claude Code is my preferred way to build. It's powerful, understands context deeply, and generates production-quality code. The Pro subscription gives you unlimited usage—essential when you're iterating on designs or debugging.
Unlimited messages with Claude Sonnet
Priority access during peak times
Early access to new features
Can you use the free tier?
Yes—the free tier works for building 1-2 simple apps. But you'll hit rate limits when iterating frequently. For this guide, I'm assuming you have Pro.
Alternative: ChatGPT Plus ($20/month)
ChatGPT Plus also works well for building apps. Similar pricing, similar capabilities. Use whichever you prefer—the workflow is the same.
Try ChatGPT →Accounts Complete ✓
Check off each account as you create it:
What you now have:
- ✓ GitHub account (code storage)
- ✓ Vercel account (linked to GitHub)
- ✓ Cloudflare account (for domain later)
- ✓ AI assistant (Claude or ChatGPT)
The pipeline: GitHub → Vercel is connected. Push code, get deployed. That's modern development.