# How to Install AI Engineering from Scratch: Local, Skill Bundle, and Web Options

> Learn to install AI Engineering from Scratch locally via GitHub, as a skill bundle with npx, or on the web at aiengineeringfromscratch.com. Get started today!

- Repository: [Rohit Ghumare/ai-engineering-from-scratch](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch)
- Tags: getting-started
- Published: 2026-08-28

---

**You can install the AI Engineering from Scratch curriculum by cloning the GitHub repository for local execution, installing it as a skill bundle via `npx skills add rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch` for agent-driven learning, or accessing it directly at aiengineeringfromscratch.com.**

The AI Engineering from Scratch curriculum by Rohit Ghumare is a modular, open-source educational repository structured into 20 phases covering foundational math to advanced agentic systems. Depending on your workflow, you can execute Python lessons locally, register the curriculum as portable **SKILL.md** agents within hosts like Codex or Claude Code, or stream the content through the static site generator.

## Three Ways to Install the Curriculum

The repository supports three interchangeable consumption models. Choose the method that aligns with your tooling preferences:

- **Clone & run locally**: Download the full source tree to execute lesson scripts, inspect implementations, and modify code
- **Install learning skills**: Register agent-driven tutors that orchestrate the curriculum from within compatible AI hosts
- **Read on the web**: Access the lesson content through the browser without local file management

## Method 1: Clone and Run Locally

Cloning the repository gives you complete control over the execution environment and allows you to run lesson scripts directly. This method requires Git, Node.js ≥20, `npx`, and Python 3.

First, verify your prerequisites as documented in the repository's [`README.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/README.md):

```bash
node --version
npx --version
python3 --version

```

Then clone the repository and navigate into the directory:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch.git
cd ai-engineering-from-scratch

```

The curriculum content resides in the `phases/` directory, which contains 20 top-level phases. Each phase includes lessons following a uniform layout with `code/`, [`docs/en.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/docs/en.md), and `outputs/` subdirectories. To run a specific lesson:

```bash
python3 phases/01-math-foundations/01-linear-algebra-intuition/code/vectors.py

```

## Method 2: Install as Learning Skills (Agent-Driven)

For users working within AI agent hosts like Codex, Claude Code, or compatible platforms, the curriculum can be installed as a portable skill bundle. This registers **SKILL.md** agents such as `start-learning` and `learn-mcp` that drive the interactive curriculum.

Execute the installer script via `npx` (implemented in [`scripts/install_skills.py`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/scripts/install_skills.py)):

```bash
npx skills add rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch

```

After installation, invoke the interactive tutor using your host's specific syntax. For example, in Codex:

```bash
start-learning

```

You can also jump directly to specific lessons:

```bash
learn 01   # Starts the first lesson of the selected phase

```

The skill bundle references learning path manifests located in [`learning-paths/model-context-protocol.json`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/learning-paths/model-context-protocol.json), which defines the Model Context Protocol (MCP) routes and agent skills used by the curriculum.

## Method 3: Read on the Web

If you prefer not to manage local files or dependencies, stream the curriculum directly at **aiengineeringfromscratch.com**. The static site is generated by [`site/build.js`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/site/build.js) and deployed automatically via CI, offering the same lesson content without installation.

## Repository Architecture and Key Files

Understanding the repository structure helps you navigate the curriculum effectively after installation:

- **`phases/`** — Core curriculum containing 20 phases with standardized lesson directories (`code/`, [`docs/en.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/docs/en.md), `outputs/`)
- **[`scripts/install_skills.py`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/scripts/install_skills.py)** — Python implementation of the skill bundle installer executed by the `npx skills add` command
- **[`scripts/audit_lessons.py`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/scripts/audit_lessons.py)** — CI-run validator that enforces lesson-structure rules and consistency
- **[`learning-paths/model-context-protocol.json`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/learning-paths/model-context-protocol.json)** — Manifest file defining MCP and Agent Skills routes for the learning paths
- **[`site/build.js`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/site/build.js)** — Static site generator that builds the interactive lesson viewer and documentation site
- **[`README.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/README.md)** — High-level overview containing the phase-to-lesson mapping and quick-start commands

## Verifying Your Installation

To confirm your environment is correctly configured for local execution:

```bash

# 1. Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch.git
cd ai-engineering-from-scratch

# 2. Verify required tools

node --version
npx --version
python3 --version

# 3. Install the curriculum as agent skills (optional)

npx skills add rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch

# 4. Test a specific lesson

python3 phases/00-setup-and-tooling/01-dev-environment/code/verify.py --route beginner

```

## Summary

- **AI Engineering from Scratch** offers three installation methods: local Git clone, portable skill bundle via `npx skills add`, or web browser access
- Local execution requires Node ≥20, `npx`, and Python 3, with lesson code stored in `phases/` subdirectories
- The skill bundle installer at [`scripts/install_skills.py`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/scripts/install_skills.py) registers agents like `start-learning` for host-driven curriculum navigation
- Learning paths and MCP routes are defined in [`learning-paths/model-context-protocol.json`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/learning-paths/model-context-protocol.json)
- The static site at aiengineeringfromscratch.com is built from [`site/build.js`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/site/build.js) and mirrors the local content

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What are the prerequisites to install AI Engineering from Scratch?

You need Node.js version 20 or higher, `npx` (included with Node), and Python 3. These tools enable both the skill bundle installation process and the execution of lesson scripts. Verify versions with `node --version`, `npx --version`, and `python3 --version` before proceeding.

### What is the difference between cloning the repo and installing the skill bundle?

Cloning the repository downloads the full source code to your machine, allowing you to run Python scripts directly and modify lesson files. Installing the skill bundle via `npx skills add` registers **SKILL.md** agents within your AI host (like Codex) that orchestrate the curriculum interactively without requiring you to manually navigate file paths.

### How do I run a specific lesson after installation?

For local execution, run Python files directly from the `phases/` directory (e.g., `python3 phases/01-math-foundations/01-linear-algebra-intuition/code/vectors.py`). If using the skill bundle, use the host-specific command such as `learn 01` to start the first lesson of your selected phase.

### Where are the lesson files located in the repository?

All lessons are organized within the `phases/` directory, which contains 20 top-level phase folders. Each lesson follows a consistent structure with a `code/` subdirectory for executable scripts, [`docs/en.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/docs/en.md) for documentation, and `outputs/` for expected results.