> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.empirica.ly/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.empirica.ly/tutorials/beginner-experiment-prisoners-dilemma/part-1-before-you-start.md).

# Part 1: Before you start

## Setting up the dependencies

Before you complete the tutorial, you will need to install Empirica as described in the link below:

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M-DZSKixhVwcSzJSWYl" %}
[Setup](/getting-started/setup.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Setting up the editing environment

This tutorial was developed using Visual Studio Code. You are welcome to use any editor or IDE you are comfortable with, but if you don't have a favorite, or you want to follow along precisely with the tutorial, you may want to give it a try. You can find instructions on the page linked below:

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MJ9gqydiZpZyUppD2iS" %}
[Code Editors](/resources/code-editors.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.empirica.ly/tutorials/beginner-experiment-prisoners-dilemma/part-1-before-you-start.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
