Troubleshooting guide on Windows

Common issues when running projects on Windows and how to fix them.

1. Python not found: Add Python to PATH during installation, or use py -3 launcher. Use where python to confirm the executable.
2. Node/npm not found: Restart the terminal after installing Node.js, or add the install path to System Environment Variables.
3. MySQL connection refused: Ensure MySQL service is running (Services → MySQL80 or similar). Check DB_HOST (use 127.0.0.1 or localhost).
4. Permission or path errors: Run terminal as Administrator only if needed; prefer installing tools under your user. Use short paths (e.g. C:\dev\project) to avoid long-path issues.
5. Script execution disabled: For PowerShell, run Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned if you need to run scripts.

When in doubt, use the same Node/Python version as in the project README and run from the project root.