> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.uzolabs.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Prerequisites

> Install Node.js, Foundry and MetaMask, and get testnet tBOT, before you start a template.

Install the four things every template needs, Node.js, Foundry, a browser wallet and testnet BOT, and check each one before you start.

<Note>
  **Ready.** This template is published in [uzolabs/templates](https://github.com/uzolabs/templates) and has been deployed and verified on testnet. It's a learning template and hasn't been audited. Use test funds only.
</Note>

## What you need

| Tool | Version | Why |
| - | - | - |
| Node.js | 20.19 or newer | Runs the deploy scripts and the web app |
| Foundry | Latest | Compiles, tests and deploys the contracts. Not needed for the DEX integration template |
| Browser wallet | Any EIP-6963 wallet, such as MetaMask | Signs transactions in the web app |
| tBOT | About 1 tBOT is plenty | Pays for gas on BOT Chain Testnet |

You don't need to install Hardhat. Each template installs Hardhat 3 as a dev dependency, so `npm run deploy:hardhat` works after `npm install`.

## Install Node.js and Foundry

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    1. Install Node.js 20.19 or newer from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org), or with a version manager such as `nvm`.
    2. Install Foundry:

    ```bash Terminal theme={"dark"}
    curl -L https://foundry.paradigm.xyz | bash
    foundryup
    ```

    Open a new terminal so `forge` is on your PATH.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Linux">
    1. Install Node.js 20.19 or newer from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org) or with `nvm`. Distribution packages are often older than 20.19, so check the version.
    2. Install Foundry:

    ```bash Terminal theme={"dark"}
    curl -L https://foundry.paradigm.xyz | bash
    foundryup
    ```

    Open a new terminal so `forge` is on your PATH.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    1. Install Node.js 20.19 or newer from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org).
    2. Install Foundry from **Git Bash** or **WSL**, not from PowerShell or Command Prompt:

    ```bash Git Bash theme={"dark"}
    curl -L https://foundry.paradigm.xyz | bash
    foundryup
    ```

    3. Open a new terminal. Foundry installs to `~/.foundry/bin`. If PowerShell can't find `forge`, add it for the current window:

    ```powershell PowerShell theme={"dark"}
    $env:Path += ";$env:USERPROFILE\.foundry\bin"
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Full install options are in the [Foundry book](https://getfoundry.sh) and on [Set up Foundry](/guides/environment/foundry).

## Set up a test wallet

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a fresh account">
    Install [MetaMask](https://metamask.io) or another browser wallet and create a new account just for testing. Never use a wallet that holds real funds, because its key goes into a `.env` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add BOT Chain Testnet">
    Add the network with the values on [Connect a wallet](/get-started/bot-chain/connect-wallet). The template web apps also offer a "Switch to BOT Chain Testnet" button that adds it for you.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Get tBOT">
    Request 10 tBOT from the [faucet](https://faucet.botchain.ai/basic). You can ask once per address every 24 hours. See [Get testnet tokens](/get-started/bot-chain/get-testnet-tokens).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export the private key">
    In your wallet's account details, export the private key. You'll paste it after `PRIVATE_KEY=` in the template's `.env`. Keep it out of chat, screenshots and commits.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  The gasless app and the AI agent templates use two wallets: one to deploy and a second for the relayer or the agent. Fund both from the faucet.
</Note>

## Verify

Run these in a new terminal. Each one should print a version.

```bash Terminal theme={"dark"}
node --version
forge --version
npm --version
```

`node --version` must print `v20.19.0` or higher. Then open [BOTScan for testnet](https://scan.bohr.life), search for your address and check that it holds tBOT.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="&#x22;forge: command not found&#x22;">
    Open a new terminal after installing. On Windows, check that `~/.foundry/bin` is on your PATH, as shown in the Windows tab.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="npm install fails with an engine or syntax error">
    Your Node.js is older than 20.19. Upgrade and run `npm install` again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The faucet says to wait">
    Each address can request once every 24 hours. Wait, or use the tBOT you already have. A token deploy costs about 0.02 tBOT.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Use a template" icon="play" href="/templates/using-templates">
    Download, deploy and run your first template.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Choose a toolchain" icon="wrench" href="/guides/environment/choose-a-toolchain">
    Foundry or Hardhat, and when each fits.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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