[SYS.GUIDES]
AIGuides.
In-depth guides on AI coding tools, agents, and building with AI.
These guides are the reference material I wish existed when I started shipping software with AI. Every one comes out of real daily use: Claude Code, Cursor, MCP servers, and the agent workflows I run to build and ship products. No theory, no filler, just the setup steps, commands, and tradeoffs that actually matter.
Unlike blog posts, which capture a moment in time, guides are living documents. I update them as tools change, models get better or worse, and I find sharper ways to work. Use the AI model API ID reference when you need the exact current GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or image model string. Start with the complete Claude Code guide if you are new to agentic coding, then dig into the specific workflows below. Each guide assumes you want to actually build something, so the focus is on concrete steps and the mistakes worth avoiding rather than a survey of every option. If a tool or command has changed since the last update, the date at the top of each guide tells you how fresh it is.
AI CODING

Claude Code Install and Setup Guide (2026)
The current Claude Code installation steps for every supported OS, plus verification, authentication, updates, and fixes for the errors people actually hit.

Claude Code Pricing and Limits (2026)
The actual cost of Claude Code, how its rolling and weekly limits work, when Pro or Max makes sense, and how to calculate pay-as-you-go API spend.

CLAUDE.md Examples and Templates (2026)
Practical CLAUDE.md templates for real repositories, plus file locations, imports, length limits, scoping, and a checklist for keeping instructions useful.

Claude Code Tutorial: Complete Guide (2026)
How to use Claude Code, end to end: install, CLAUDE.md, plan mode, skills, MCP servers, subagents, agent teams, hooks, worktrees, and real daily workflows.

Cursor for Founders: Complete Guide (2026)
How non-technical founders ship real software with Cursor: prompts, local testing, Git, and Vercel, end to end.
AI TOOLS

Generate Images With Claude Using MCP (2026)
An implementation-focused walkthrough for connecting an image generation MCP server to Claude Code, choosing current provider models, and shipping reviewed assets.

Can Claude Generate Images? (2026)
Claude cannot generate images on its own. The MCP workaround that fixes it, including a free route, plus how it compares to ChatGPT and Gemini.
AI Model API IDs: Developer Reference (2026)
A verified, copy-ready reference for current GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, GPT Image, and Nano Banana API model IDs.
AI AGENTS

What Is an MCP Server? Model Context Protocol
A plain-language explanation of MCP servers: what they expose, how AI clients connect, how local and remote servers differ, and where APIs still fit.

MCP vs API: Differences Explained (2026)
A practical comparison of APIs and Model Context Protocol, including request flow, runtime discovery, performance, security, and when production systems need both.

Can Claude Analyze YouTube Videos? (2026)
Connect the free yt-analysis MCP server so Claude Code can summarize, transcribe, search, capture frames, and answer questions about public YouTube videos.