https://www.wt8p.com/setting-up-ft8/ is still pretty up to date. It's what I used to get setup a few years back. Definitely make sure you have something that keeps your system clock "up to date" I use Dimension 4 still.
No projects really. Mostly studying for the extra exam and practicing CW
Hmmm don’t have great recommendations. Any HF transceiver that can push sound to a computer or has a data/usb port would do. And basically any laptop can run WSJT-X.