> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://doane-ccla.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://doane-ccla.gitbook.io/docs/using-the-hpc/prerequisites.md).

# Prerequisites

To properly utilize HPC Condos, you will need a couple of utilities loaded on your local machine. These utilities are free and widely used for this type of application.

* Required: **SSH client**
* Recommended: **Bash terminal**

## MacOS and Linux

Both macOS and Linux distributions include a Bash terminal and an SSH client by default. No additional software should be required to access HPC Condos.

## Windows Users

Windows does not have a native SSH client or a native Bash terminal. A few solutions are linked below.

* Option 1: [PuTTY](http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/) - SSH client and Bash environment for Windows.
* Option 2: [MobaXterm](https://mobaxterm.mobatek.net/) - A generally friendly client with automatic X-11 forwarding and built-in FTP interface.
* Option 3: [Git Bash](https://git-scm.com/download/win) – Part of the Git for Windows environment includes Git Bash, which provides a light weight ssh client.
* Option 4: [Cygwin](http://www.cygwin.com) – If you wish to have Bash-style functions on your Windows machine, then you should consider installing Cygwin, which ports the Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX) system calls and environment to Windows.


---

# 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, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://doane-ccla.gitbook.io/docs/using-the-hpc/prerequisites.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

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.