Tools Setup

Configure your development environment

Overview

ImportantUse Longleaf for Production Work

Longleaf (UNC’s HPC cluster) is the recommended environment for:

  • Running simulations and calibrations
  • Reproducible analyses
  • Collaborative work (shared file system)
  • Long-running jobs

Local machines are fine for writing code, small-scale testing, and manuscript writing.

Choose Your Setup Path

Path Best For Guide
A: Longleaf-Primary (Recommended) Most lab work Longleaf Setup
B: Local + Longleaf Prefer local editing Local Setup + Longleaf Setup
C: Local Only Small projects, testing Local Setup

All paths require Git: Git & GitHub Setup

Setup Guides

Longleaf Setup

UNC’s HPC cluster. Covers:

  • Request access
  • Open OnDemand (web interface) - easiest way to start
  • VS Code Remote SSH
  • Direct SSH access
  • Module system and environment configuration

Local Development

Your laptop/desktop. Covers:

  • R and RStudio installation
  • Essential packages
  • Quarto for documents
  • Platform-specific notes (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Git & GitHub

Version control. Covers:

  • Git installation and configuration
  • GitHub CLI
  • SSH key setup
  • Git with OnDemand/RStudio

Quick Start Recommendation

New to the lab? Follow this path:

  1. Request Longleaf access (do this Day 1—takes 1-2 days to approve)
  2. Set up Git locally while you wait
  3. Once approved, use OnDemand for RStudio

Having Issues?

See Troubleshooting for common problems and solutions.

Verification

After setup, you should be able to:

Detailed verification steps are at the end of each setup guide.