Recruit Field Manual · Vol. 0 · Issued at No Cost
Basic Training Dossier.
Pre-deployment materials for recruits who've chatted with AI and nothing else. Videos, tools, written intel, and field reports from prior cohorts. Review before enlistment. Bookmark for reference.
Section I
Audio/Visual Briefings.
5 items
Optional but strongly recommended. Watch before or after each phase to go deeper.
But what is a GPT? Visual intro to Transformers ↗
3Blue1Brown · 27 min · Deep Learning Chapter 5
The most beautiful explanation of how AI models process and predict text. Uses animations to show what's happening under the hood — without requiring a math degree.
Intro to Large Language Models ↗
Andrej Karpathy (former Tesla AI Director) · 1 hour
The best general-audience talk on LLMs. Covers what they are, how they work, why they hallucinate, and where they're headed. His "parameters file + run file" explanation is genius.
The Complete Guide to Vibe Coding ↗
codingwithvibe.com · Guide + Video
The concept Andrej Karpathy coined: describe what you want, let AI build it. This guide covers the full methodology — from beginner to expert.
Build Apps Without Code Using Claude Artifacts ↗
Anthropic (Official) · Guide
The official guide to building with Claude Artifacts — exactly what you'll do in Phase 03. From description to working tool without writing a line of code.
Lovable 30-Minute Beginner Tutorial ↗
Lovable · 30 min · Video Tutorial
After you've built your first thing with Claude Artifacts, this shows you the next level: full web apps with databases and user accounts.
Section II
Authorized Equipment.
6 items
Your standard-issue loadout. Every item has a free tier — start there. Upgrade only when you feel the limit.
Claude ↗
Your primary weapon. Artifacts build interactive tools from descriptions. Used in every phase.
Lovable ↗
Full web apps from text descriptions. Most beginner-friendly "full app" builder in the arsenal.
Bolt.new ↗
Browser-based IDE. Builds complete apps from prompts. Faster than Lovable, slightly more technical.
Cursor ↗
AI code editor. For when you want more control. Desktop app. Advanced loadout.
Replit ↗
Build, test, deploy in the browser. Includes hosting — your app goes live instantly.
v0 by Vercel ↗
Generates beautiful UI components from text. Best for "make it look good."
Section III
Written Intel.
8 items
Collateral reports. Go deeper on any phase topic. Read what interests you, skip what doesn't.
How Does ChatGPT Work? ↗
Zapier · 5 min read
The best quick-read explainer of how AI works in plain English. If you only read one thing from this pack, make it this.
Learn Prompting ↗
Free · Interactive curriculum
Open-source prompt engineering course with hands-on exercises. Great self-study after Phase 01.
How to Build an App with AI in 2026 ↗
vibecoding.app · Step-by-step guide
Covers the full journey from idea to shipped product using AI tools. Perfect companion reading after Phase 02's mindset shift.
Claude Artifacts Help Center ↗
Anthropic (Official)
Everything you need to know about artifacts: what they can do, how to iterate, how to share.
Prototype AI-Powered Apps with Claude Artifacts ↗
Anthropic (Official)
Goes beyond Phase 03 — shows how to turn your artifact into a real prototype. The bridge between "I built a tool" and "I built a product."
Claude Artifacts Gallery ↗
Anthropic · Browse & remix
Browse what others have built with artifacts. Infinite inspiration for your next build.
Beginner Projects You Can Build & Monetize ↗
Nucamp · Project ideas
Takes the builder mindset one step further: you can build AND earn. Beginner-friendly projects with real monetization angles.
Best AI App Builder for Non-Technical Founders 2026 ↗
Adalo · Tool comparison
Side-by-side comparison of every major AI building tool. Use this when you're ready to pick your main platform.
Section IV
Field Reports: Prior Recruits.
3 items
Real people. Real products. Zero coding background. What's possible when a non-technical operator picks up the weapon.
Pieter Levels — $3M/year, Zero Employees
Photo AI ($138K/mo) · Interior AI (99% margins) · Nomad List
Built multiple profitable AI products as a solo founder. Describes problems, ships fast, iterates. The builder mindset at scale.
BayouSwap — First-Time Founder, MVP in 4 Weeks
87 trades · $8,400 revenue · Non-technical founder
A non-technical founder launched a local trading platform in 2025. From idea to revenue in under two months using AI tools.
5-Day AI Masterclass Cohort
Tess · Charles · Nnamdi · Kay · Mavis
Five non-technical people, five different apps, five days. Pill Reminder, Health Blog, Goal Tracker, NDIS Quoting Tool, Service Management App. All shipped. All working.
End of Basic Training
You just finished Vol. 0.
You understand how AI works. You've shifted from consumer to builder. You've built something real. Now imagine what you could do with a 4-week cohort, six more operations, and a team of recruits doing the same.
That's what the full deployment is for.
Enlist · Pro Community on Skool → $29/monthSkool = campus (curriculum, calendar, capstones, wins). Discord = workshop floor (live build, voice, help). Sprint 01 opens Tuesday, May 5.