Field manual · Rev. C · 2026

AI SHOP
MANUAL

Intro to computers and agentic workflows — for people who work with their hands.

You already know how to diagnose a system you can't see inside of. This manual takes you from "new laptop, no idea" to running real work through an AI agent — without pretending you need a computer science degree first. Written by a working master technician and trainer; every example runs through one equipment repair and fab shop.

Get the manual — $20 Read sections 00–02 free

One purchase. All 13 sections with the hands-on drills and narration, the Field Edition PDF, and the Prompt & Brief Pack. Unlocks on up to 3 devices.

What's in the box

13 sections, in order

The shop floor (files, backup, not getting robbed) → the machines (models, briefing, agents) → the tools (terminal, editor, Git) → running the job.

A hands-on drill in every section

A practice terminal, a diff trainer, a phishing range, a context bench, and nine more. You do the thing, not just read about it.

The build-along

Eight small steps. By Section 10 you've built shop-planner: a real tool that lays out the week's work orders across techs and bays — and re-plans when reality moves.

Listen narration

Every section read aloud, word by word on the page, at the speed you set. It stops at each part, figure, and drill so you can keep up.

82-item checklist

Progress that survives closing the tab. Print it and tape it to the wall.

macOS and Windows

Every command example switches to the computer you're actually on.

Field Edition PDF

The whole manual typeset for print — 100+ pages, commands for both systems side by side.

Prompt & Brief Pack

26 copy-paste briefs: estimates, customer texts, review replies, diagnostic partner, SOPs, toolbox talks, cert study, agent briefs — and the never-delegate card.

The route

Sections 01–03 · The shop floorFiles, folders, naming, backup, and not getting robbed. Boring. Also the reason everything else works.
Sections 04–06 · The machinesWhat the different AI models actually are, how to brief them, and what changes when one can act on its own.
Sections 07–09 · The toolsTerminal, editor, Git, GitHub. Enough to know what's happening. Not enough to turn you into a programmer — on purpose.
Sections 10–12 · Running the jobSplitting work between you and the agent, what it costs, and what to do when it goes sideways.

Three symbols, the whole method

Hand it off Something you should understand but never have to do by hand. Read it once, then let the agent drive. This is most of Git, most of the terminal, and nearly all of the code.

Hold the wrench Yours. Do not delegate it. Usually a judgment call, a password, or a decision that's expensive to undo.

Watch out A way people lose work, money, or data. Rare, but it hurts. There are four in the whole manual.

One purchase

$20$55
Launch price for the first 100 buyers, then $55. The FIRST100 code is applied for you at checkout.
  • The interactive manual — all 13 sections, drills, narration, search, saved progress
  • Field Edition PDF (print it, keep it in the truck)
  • Prompt & Brief Pack (PDF + text you can paste from a phone)
  • Unlock on up to 3 devices with your checkout email and license key
  • Rev. D and later updates included
Get the manual — $20 Not sure? Read the first three sections free →

Straight answers

Do I need to know how to code?
No. You're not learning to be a programmer. You're learning to be the person who runs the shop — who knows what each machine does, what good work looks like, and when to stop the line.
Which AI does it use?
Any of them. Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Claude Code — the manual teaches the method, and Section 04 tells you which machine is which.
Mac or Windows?
Both. Flip the toggle in the sidebar and every command example changes.
How long does it take?
About five hours of reading plus the setup and the build. Do it in order the first time; after that it's an index.
Refunds?
If it's not for you, email within 14 days and you get your money back. No questions, no forms.

Already bought? Unlock

Use the email from checkout and the license key from your receipt.