Initial infrastructure documentation - comprehensive homelab reference

AIDER-QUICKSTART.md

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+# Aider Quick Start Guide
+
+## What is Aider?
+
+Aider is your **local, free AI coding assistant** that works with Ollama. It saves Claude API tokens for routine coding tasks.
+
+## Setup Complete! ✓
+
+- Aider installed
+- Ollama configured with two models:
+  - `qwen2.5-coder:7b-instruct` (fast, 8GB VRAM)
+  - `qwen2.5-coder:14b-instruct` (smart, uses some RAM)
+- Config file: `~/.aider.conf.yml`
+- Helper functions: `C:\Users\Fred\projects\aider-helpers.ps1`
+
+## Quick Start
+
+### 1. Load Helper Functions (One Time Setup)
+
+Add this line to your PowerShell profile:
+
+```powershell
+. C:\Users\Fred\projects\aider-helpers.ps1
+```
+
+To find your profile location:
+```powershell
+$PROFILE
+```
+
+Or run the helpers manually each session:
+```powershell
+. C:\Users\Fred\projects\aider-helpers.ps1
+```
+
+### 2. Basic Usage
+
+```powershell
+# Navigate to your project
+cd C:\Users\Fred\projects\VA-Strategy
+
+# Start Aider (uses 7b model by default)
+aider-fast
+
+# Or use the smarter model for complex tasks
+aider-smart
+
+# Or use plain aider (reads .aider.conf.yml)
+aider
+```
+
+### 3. Inside Aider
+
+```
+> Add a function to parse headache log entries
+> Refactor the PTSD statement generator
+> Add error handling to the tracking module
+> /help  # see all commands
+> /exit  # quit
+```
+
+## When to Use What
+
+### Use Aider (Local) for:
+- ✅ Refactoring code
+- ✅ Writing boilerplate
+- ✅ Adding simple features
+- ✅ Code reviews
+- ✅ Fixing simple bugs
+- ✅ Documentation
+- ✅ Test writing
+
+Cost: **$0** (completely free, uses your GPU)
+
+### Use Claude Code for:
+- 🎯 Complex architectural decisions
+- 🎯 Multi-file refactors requiring deep understanding
+- 🎯 Difficult debugging
+- 🎯 Planning new features
+- 🎯 Strategic code design
+
+Cost: ~$3-15 per million tokens (monthly limit)
+
+## Helper Commands
+
+```powershell
+aider-fast      # Fast 7b model (everyday coding)
+aider-smart     # Powerful 14b model (complex tasks)
+aider-plan      # Architect mode (planning)
+aider-commit    # Generate git commit messages
+aider-watch     # Auto-reload on file changes
+aider-status    # Show available models and commands
+aider-estimate  # Compare token costs
+```
+
+## Examples
+
+### Example 1: Simple Refactor
+```powershell
+cd C:\Users\Fred\projects\VA-Strategy
+aider-fast tracking/headache-log.py
+
+> Refactor this to use dataclasses instead of dictionaries
+```
+
+### Example 2: Add Feature
+```powershell
+cd C:\Users\Fred\projects\infrastructure\voice-assistant
+aider-fast
+
+> Add a new command to check system temperature
+> /add sensors.py utils.py
+> Make sure it logs to the debug file
+```
+
+### Example 3: Git Commit
+```powershell
+git add .
+aider-commit
+# Aider will analyze changes and suggest a commit message
+```
+
+## Tips
+
+1. **Start Small**: Try Aider on simple tasks first to get comfortable
+2. **Use Git**: Aider works best with git repos (can auto-commit)
+3. **Be Specific**: Clear prompts get better results ("Add error handling for missing files" vs "make it better")
+4. **Switch Models**: Use 7b for speed, 14b for quality
+5. **Save Claude Tokens**: Use Aider for 80% of tasks, Claude for the 20% that need genius-level reasoning
+
+## Token Savings Example
+
+**Typical Day:**
+- 10 simple refactors: Aider (free) instead of Claude ($0.30)
+- 5 feature additions: Aider (free) instead of Claude ($0.75)
+- 3 bug fixes: Aider (free) instead of Claude ($0.45)
+- 2 complex architecture tasks: Claude ($0.60)
+
+**Total saved: $1.50/day = $45/month**
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Ollama not running
+```powershell
+# Check Ollama status
+ollama list
+
+# Restart Ollama if needed (it should auto-start)
+```
+
+### Model too slow
+```powershell
+# Switch to faster 7b model
+aider --model ollama/qwen2.5-coder:7b-instruct
+```
+
+### Need better quality
+```powershell
+# Switch to smarter 14b model
+aider --model ollama/qwen2.5-coder:14b-instruct
+```
+
+## Next Steps
+
+1. Load the helper functions in your PowerShell profile
+2. Try `aider-status` to verify everything works
+3. Navigate to a project and run `aider-fast`
+4. Start with a simple task like "Add a docstring to this function"
+
+---
+
+**Happy coding!** You're now set up to save Claude tokens while maintaining productivity.
+
+For full Aider documentation: https://aider.chat