Set up an Ethereum development network in two minutes

ethereum-dev-mode.md

First, install the required software:

• Geth: http://geth.ethereum.org/downloads/
• Mist: http://github.com/ethereum/mist/releases

Instructions for Windows

• Open CMD (windows > run > type "cmd" > enter).
• Run geth.exe --dev --ipcpath geth.ipc console
• on the CMD window, type personal.newAccount() to create a password for your default (etherbase) account
• on the CMD window, type miner.start().
• open Mist.

Instructions for Mac

• Open Terminal (Cmd + space > terminal.app)
• Run geth --dev --ipcpath ~/Library/Ethereum/geth.ipc console
• on the Terminal, type personal.newAccount() to create a password for your default (etherbase) account
• on the Terminal, type miner.start().
• open Mist

Instructions for Linux

• Open your terminal of choice
• Run geth --dev --ipcpath ~/.ethereum/geth.ipc console
• on your terminal, type personal.newAccount() to create a password for your default (etherbase) account
• on your terminal, type miner.start().
• open Mist

That's it. You can use miner.start() and miner.stop() to control wether you computer will be generating blocks and validating your own transactions.

Troubleshooting

Mist started on the test-net

On Mist, change the network to Main Net (Develop > Network > Main net), terminate both Mist and Geth, and restart them.

Throw some feedback in the comments :)