[schwartzworld]

I don't know the current state of the art, but I learned software development on a Chromebook with Linux and I didn't need any special cable. Originally I used Chrouton, but later switched to GalliumOS.

That said, sometimes the computer would get in a weird state that required going into regular Chromebook mode to fix, so I think you'd at least want to have a throwaway Google account for managing it. Doesn't have to be something you actually use.