Newbie problems following README.md setup instructions for development

[donPab]

• Operating system: Windows 10 Pro, Version 21H2 , Installed on ‎8/‎16/‎2022 , OS build 19044.2604
• Pencil version: "version": "3.1.2"
• I would like to develop a new Line object using Bezier curves. First I need development environment on my Win10 with VSCode.
• README.md has the following -- Setting up

1. Pencil uses Atom Electron as the runtime, follow the these steps to setup the environment:
2. Clone this repository
3. Ensure you are using nodejs 5+ (Pencil development only needs npm for package management. Node runtime is not required.)
4. Checkout this development branch:
5. $ git checkout development
6. Install dependencies:
7. $ npm install
8. Start Pencil using the prebuilt version of Electron
9. $ npm start

In a Win10 setting with VSCode, as a beginner, I am having a hard time following this setup sequence.

In 2--which repository is to be cloned? Electron? or Pencil? Can 1 & 2 be combined into one sentence?
The link goes to https://www.electronjs.org/ which has buttons for Releases and GitHub
Why does Electron need to be cloned ? Where in this startup do we make reference to the cloned folder?
Since 6&7 npm install, which includes Electron dependencies, comes directly from "GitCentral".

In 3--How do I make sure nodejs 5+ is being used? Is this ES level? or node -v (which is now > 18)?
I can't find any indication of ES level in any node commands. Are all node versions now in 2023 at level 5+ ??

In 4 & 5--git : The term 'git' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet.
Is git required to be installed? Or will github be ok? I am still trying to github the development 3.1.2 version into a folder C:\H_Paul\Pencil312 ... and not finding the right args.

In 6 & 7--do I need to CD (Change Directory) to the Pencil/App folder before installing?
-- from: https://www.stackchief.com/tutorials/npm%20install%20%7C%20how%20it%20works
-- see also: https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/v8/commands/npm-install
When run without arguments, npm install downloads dependencies defined in a package.json file
and generates a node_modules folder with the installed modules.
It's important that npm install is run in the same location as the package.json file.
npm install also generates a package-lock.json file.

In 8 & 9--This runs the "start" property of a package's "scripts" object.
npm start -->runs--> "start": "./node_modules/.bin/electron ./app"
Is this suitable only for Linux, and not for Windows?
When I do npm start, I get these output results
==>terminal==>
npm start

start
./node_modules/.bin/electron .
'.' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
(1st dot, before /node)
==>What is the correct start, and what is the first Pencil program to be executed?
In VSCode, I tried to use launch.json to startup, and that only displayed a white screen with the flashing P logo.
I would like to get the development version up & running on Win10.
tkx, donPab

[donPab]

No longer a problem.
I researched other issues, i.e. #590 and #236
Where they did not explicitly follow the ReadMe instructions.
And I went back and did exactly as per ReadMe, -- --> sorta.

github clone https://github.com/evolus/pencil.git -- worked, but it got the Master 3.1.1
github clone -b development https://github.com/evolus/pencil.git --git branch worked, I changed folder to Pencil312

npm install -- created many lines of Warnings, and cleanup failed to remove 2 directories, errno: -4048,
npm audit fix -- was run, with many lines of output

npm start -- failed,

[email protected] start
./node_modules/.bin/electron .
'.' is not recognized as an internal or external command

"star1": ".\node_modules\.bin\electron .", -- was added to package.json in scripts section
npm run star1 -- worked, even found C:\Users...\config.json pointer to prior epgz drawing files

[email protected] star1
.\node_modules.bin\electron .
Background web-printer started.
Shortcut main service started.
Shortcut: Super+F12 registered
RENDERER started.
[17908:0305/233504.514:ERROR:gpu_init.cc(457)] Passthrough is not supported, GL is disabled, ANGLE is

I will try a revised start:dev and continue with developing Bezier.