Getting set up before we start

University of Exeter logo

Getting set up before we start

Doors open 09:30 — workshop teaching starts at 10:00

Pre-workshop setup

Pre-session QR code
This page

If setup is already complete: grab a coffee and check you can open a terminal and reach the login node.

GW4 logo

Isambard 3 exterior

Step 1: Initial account setup

https://docs.isambard.ac.uk/user-documentation/tutorials/setup/

  1. Go to https://portal.isambard.ac.uk/
  2. Sign in: University Login (MyAccessID) → University of Exeter → your Exeter credentials
  3. Follow on-screen instructions — accept the acceptable-use policy and the workshop project invitation
  4. Choose a UNIX username:
    https://docs.isambard.ac.uk/user-documentation/tutorials/setup/#how-to-set-your-unix-username

If these notes are too brief — follow the full instructions at the link above.

The Isambard 3 portal

https://portal.isambard.ac.uk

Simple project dashboard:

  • User dashboard — lists projects you belong to
  • Click a project — shows compute usage and NHR (Node Hours Remaining)

Workshop project:
exeter-workshop-260421

Project alias: e6c (used in SSH host aliases)

Step 2: Clifton and SSH access

https://docs.isambard.ac.uk/user-documentation/guides/login/

Install Clifton on macOS/Linux:

bash <(curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/UniExeterRSE/gw4-isambard-3-practical-workshop-2026/refs/heads/main/bootstrap/install/clifton.sh) install

Then authenticate and connect:

clifton auth

Authenticate in the browser. Clifton will then suggest:

You may now want to run `clifton ssh-config write` to configure your SSH config aliases.

Run it, then SSH in:

ssh e6c.3.isambard

Using Windows? Follow the official guide

Issues? Open a ticket

Example clifton auth output:

Successfully authenticated as **@exeter.ac.uk and downloaded SSH certificate for projects:
- e6c
Certificate valid for 11 hours and 59 minutes.

Available SSH host aliases:
 - e6c.macs3.isambard
 - e6c.3.isambard

Step 3: VS Code CLI

https://docs.isambard.ac.uk/user-documentation/guides/vscode/#install-vs-code-cli

Install the VS Code CLI on Isambard 3 (do this once, before the workshop):

bash <(curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/UniExeterRSE/gw4-isambard-3-practical-workshop-2026/refs/heads/main/bootstrap/install/code.sh) install

Launch a browser tunnel (run this each session from the login node):

code tunnel --name isambard3

Follow the on-screen instructions to authenticate. When you see:

Open this link in your browser: https://vscode.dev/tunnel/isambard3/...

Copy that URL and open it in a browser tab. You now have a working editor connected to Isambard 3.

Fallback — if the VS Code CLI is unavailable, load Emacs instead:

module load brics/emacs

Prefer another editor? Desktop VS Code, vim, nano all work — bring it set up. We will not troubleshoot alternative editors during the session.

If you cannot log in

Passive follow-along for the rare attendee with an access problem

If you are still having trouble connecting after the 09:30 setup window:

  • Follow along on the projected screen for now — you will still get value from watching the workflow.
  • Flag it to a helper so we can try to diagnose the issue during a break.
  • Reply to the pre-workshop email if the project invitation never arrived — we can investigate after the session.

Access issues on the day are rare if the pre-workshop steps were completed. Do not let it derail the room.