===== One-Time Setup =====

As the title indicates, you only need to complete the steps in this section once on your computer. You will need to be connected to the Internet.

<note important>
If your computer is set up so that it hides file name extensions (as both Windows and OS X do), consider turning that off. It can be confusing to troubleshoot problems -- you can end up with files that have multiple extensions, like Gruntfile.js.txt.

  * [[http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/show-hide-file-name-extensions|How to change this in Windows]]
  * [[https://support.apple.com/kb/PH22182|How to change this in OS X]]
</note>

  - Download the LTS version of Node from [[https://nodejs.org|the official web site]] and install it by opening the file you download. LTS stands for "long-term support" -- it lags behind the most current version, but is better-tested.
  - Open a terminal window.
    - On Windows, make sure to do this by following this path of options from the Start menu: Start -> All Programs -> Node.js -> Node.js command prompt. Doing so will make sure that Node is properly available to you.
    - On OS X, open the Terminal application that's in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
    - On Linux, how you open a terminal window depends on what distribution you're using. On Ubuntu, look under Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal. 
  - Type ''npm install -g grunt-cli'' and press the Enter key. This command asks npm -- short for the Node Package Manager -- to install Grunt for you. The ''-g'' part ensures that you'll be able to use Grunt in any project you create in the future. The G is short for "global."

npm will print out text as it installs Grunt, and it's normal for it to pause for a moment after you press Enter before printing any response. What it's doing is consulting a global repository to find the files you need -- a lot more convenient than you having to hunt around on the Web and run a separate installer. When you see the prompt again after it completes, you're done.