# Mila Local Setup

> >-

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-mila-iqia-skills-mila-local-setup`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [mila-iqia](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/mila-iqia)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [mila-iqia](https://github.com/mila-iqia)
- **Source:** https://github.com/mila-iqia/skills/tree/master/mila-tools/skills/mila-local-setup

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-mila-iqia-skills-mila-local-setup
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Local Machine Setup for the Mila Cluster

This skill guides users through installing and configuring the tools needed
on their local machine before connecting to the cluster: WSL (Windows only),
`uv`, and `milatools`.

## Base policies

At the start of each response, use the Skill tool with `skill: "mila-base"` to
load and apply all shared policies before proceeding with the workflow below.

## Reference documentation

Primary source: **https://docs.mila.quebec/getting_started/**
— sections "I'm using Windows, how do I install WSL?", "Install uv on your
local machine", "Install milatools", and "Configure milatools".

## Discover documentation

Use the WebSearch tool with this query to find the current URL of the primary
source above:

    site:docs.mila.quebec "__skill-mila-local-setup"

Use the URL from the search result in the WebFetch steps below. If the search
returns no results, fall back to the hardcoded URL in "Reference documentation".

## Workflow

### Step 1: Identify the user's OS

Ask or infer the user's operating system:

- **Windows** → guide through WSL first, then uv and milatools inside WSL.
- **macOS or Linux** → skip WSL, go directly to uv and milatools.

If not mentioned, ask: "Are you on Windows, macOS, or Linux?"

### Step 2: Fetch the documentation

Use the WebFetch tool to fetch **https://docs.mila.quebec/getting_started/** and locate the
sections relevant to the user's OS and question.

### Step 3: Guide through the setup steps in order

Work through the applicable steps:

**WSL 2 (Windows users only):** WSL 2 is required (not WSL 1); the install
command below installs WSL 2 by default on Windows 10 21H2 and later, and
on all versions of Windows 11.

1. Open PowerShell and run `wsl --install Ubuntu`.
2. Restart the computer when prompted.
3. After restart, verify WSL 2 is active: in PowerShell, run
   `wsl --list --verbose`. The VERSION column should show `2` for Ubuntu.
   If it shows `1`, run `wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2` to upgrade.
4. WSL finishes setup; create a Linux username and password if prompted.
5. Open Ubuntu from the Start menu to get a Linux terminal.
6. Verify: run `ls` and `curl --version` in the WSL terminal.
7. All subsequent commands (`uv`, `milatools`, `ssh`) must be run inside
   the WSL terminal, not PowerShell or Command Prompt.

**Install `uv` (all platforms, inside WSL on Windows):**
Use the WebFetch tool to fetch **https://docs.astral.sh/uv/getting-started/installation/** for
up-to-date installation instructions. Follow the steps for the user's
platform (Linux/WSL, macOS, or Windows).

**Install `milatools`:**
```bash
uv tool install --upgrade milatools
```

**Configure `milatools` with `mila init`:**
- Have the cluster username ready (received from IT after passing the
  onboarding quiz).
- MFA must already be set up before running `mila init` (see the
  **mila-account-setup** skill).
- Run `mila init` and follow the prompts: it sets up the SSH config,
  generates SSH keys, and copies the public key to the cluster's
  `~/.ssh/authorized_keys`.

```bash
mila init
```

### Step 4: Answer follow-up questions

Common questions:

- "What is `uv`?" — A fast Python package manager and workflow tool,
  used both locally and on the cluster. It installs `milatools` and later
  manages Python environments for cluster jobs.
- "Do I need to run `mila init` again if I reinstall?" — Only if the SSH
  config or keys are missing. Re-running `mila init` is safe.
- "How do I update `milatools`?" — `uv tool install --upgrade milatools`
  (same install command).
- "Can I use Cursor instead of VSCode?" — Yes, `mila code` supports
  Cursor and other compatible editors. See the **mila-run-jobs** skill for details.

### Step 5: Point to the next skill

Once tools are installed and `mila init` has completed successfully, direct
the user to the **mila-connect-cluster** skill to verify the SSH connection.

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [mila-iqia](https://github.com/mila-iqia)
- **Source:** [mila-iqia/skills](https://github.com/mila-iqia/skills)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** yes
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-mila-iqia-skills-mila-local-setup
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/mila-iqia
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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