---
title: "Step 1: Checkout the repo"
---

<Steps>
<Step>
### Checkout the repository
We'll begin by checking out the base code of the textarea app.

```shell
GIT_LFS_SKIP_SMUDGE=1 git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/CopilotKit/CopilotKit.git
cd CopilotKit/examples/starters/textarea/start
```

</Step>
<Step>
### Install dependencies

To install the dependencies, run the following:

```shell
npm install
```

</Step>
<Step>
### Start the project

Now, you are ready to start the project by running:

```shell
npm run dev
```

You should be able to go to [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000) and see the textarea app. Feel free to play around with the app to get a feel for it.

</Step>
</Steps>

<Cards>
<Card
  title="← Previous: Overview"
  href="/tutorials/ai-powered-textarea/overview"
  description="What you'll build and a live preview of the end result."
/>
<Card
  title="Next: Set up CopilotKit →"
  href="/tutorials/ai-powered-textarea/step-2-setup-copilotkit"
  description="Wire the CopilotKit provider into the email app."
/>
</Cards>
