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Last updated 2026-08-20 · 5 notes · 3 tags

Tags: overview safety github

Practical notes from building projects with AI-assisted tools. Use them as a shared guide and as a ready reference when you need a command again.

Who this is for

  • You want to use AI tools (like Cursor or ChatGPT) to build small projects
  • You are comfortable with a computer, but the terminal and Git still feel new
  • You want clear steps you can reopen later

How to use this library

  1. Skim My AI toolkit for one working set of tools.
  2. Read this page, then Choose your environment.
  3. Follow either the WSL on Windows guide or the Native Linux guide — not both.
  4. Continue with terminal, filesystem, safe delete, then Git.
  5. On the website, use the search box for a topic or tag (for example git or wsl).

Note: Search looks through page titles, tags, and note text. Typing a tag word shows matching pages.

What is a terminal?

The terminal (also called the command line or shell) is a text window where you type short commands instead of clicking menus. AI coding tools often ask you to run commands there — install a tool, check a version, or save work with Git.

Note: Copy the command from the page, run it, and keep the page open while you work.

What is GitHub (and a “repo”)?

  • Git keeps a history of changes to your project files on your computer.
  • GitHub is a website that stores a copy of that project online so you can back it up and share it.
  • A repository (repo) is one project folder tracked by Git.

Note: Think of a repo as a project binder: local copy on your machine, remote copy on GitHub.

Keep API keys private

API keys are secret passwords for AI services. Never paste them into a public page, never commit them to GitHub, and never share screenshots that show the full key.

Note: If a key leaks, revoke it in the provider’s website and create a new one.

Suggested folder habit

Keep projects in one place so paths stay simple:

mkdir -p ~/projects
cd ~/projects

Example project path: ~/projects/your-project

Note: When an AI assistant asks where your project is, you can answer with that path.

Asking an AI for help

You can point an assistant at a specific page, for example:

Open the WSL on Windows page in my Project KnowHow and walk me through the next step. Explain what the command does before I run it.

Common mistakes

  • Following both the WSL guide and the native Linux guide at once leads to mixed, conflicting steps.
  • Skipping search when you only need one topic (for example Git or safe delete) wastes time scrolling.

This project chronicles ideas, decisions and lessons I have gleaned from building with AI. The goal is to help non-technical users get familiar with these tools and techniques, so that they may be able to use them effectively. At times, I have also made the use of AI tools to augment or refine the content.

Readers are responsible for using any commands or instructions published here with due caution. The creator of this site accepts no responsibility for any system damage, data loss or other consequences, resulting from the application of this content.