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Developer Onboarding

Welcome to Big Nerd Idea. This guide gets your machine set up to match Kevin's development environment.

Prerequisites

  • macOS or Linux (Windows with WSL2 works but untested)
  • Node.js 20+ — node --version
  • Git configured with your GitHub account
  • Xcode Command Line Tools — xcode-select --install
  • Android Studio + Android SDK (for Android testing)

Folder structure

Both developers maintain the same layout so CLAUDE.md files load correctly and Obsidian vaults resolve links consistently.

~/source/
├── CLAUDE.md                    ← Root orchestrator
├── big-nerd-idea/
│   ├── CLAUDE.md                ← Shared org directives (auto-loaded by Claude Code)
│   └── vault/                   ← Obsidian vault for org-wide docs
├── mpowerup/
│   ├── CLAUDE.md                ← Project-specific directives
│   └── MPowerUP Vault/          ← Obsidian vault for MPowerUP project notes
├── rlivn/
└── toasterchef/

Clone repositories

mkdir -p ~/source && cd ~/source

# MPowerUP
git clone https://github.com/kevinwcrump/MPowerUp.git mpowerup

# Big Nerd Idea org docs
mkdir -p big-nerd-idea
# Kevin shares CLAUDE.md and vault via PR or direct copy initially

Install Claude Code

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Open ~/source/ as the root workspace. The CLAUDE.md files at ~/source/, ~/source/big-nerd-idea/, and ~/source/mpowerup/ will all be read automatically.

CLAUDE.md are committed to git

Every change to AI directives goes through a PR so both developers agree. Claude Code on Corey's machine reads the same directives as on Kevin's.

MPowerUP setup

cd ~/source/mpowerup
npm install

Create .env.local (get values from Kevin — never committed):

EXPO_PUBLIC_RELAY_URL=ws://<kevin-mac-ip>:4444

Kevin runs the relay server during dev sessions. Point to Kevin's IP, or run your own relay (cd relay && node server.js) when working independently.

Start the dev server

npm start         # opens Metro bundler
# Press i for iOS simulator, a for Android emulator

Obsidian setup

  1. Download from obsidian.md (free)
  2. Open vault: ~/source/mpowerup/MPowerUP Vault/
  3. Open vault: ~/source/big-nerd-idea/vault/
  4. Install community plugin: Obsidian Git
  5. Settings → Obsidian Git → Auto pull interval: 10 min, Auto push on file change: yes

Shared coding standards

  • TypeScript strict on all projects — no any without a cast comment
  • No polling — event-driven or scheduled background tasks only
  • Accessibility-first — WCAG AA minimum on all UI; 44pt minimum touch targets
  • Open source dependencies only — no paid SDK without team approval
  • No secrets in git — .env.local for all keys, gitignored
  • Battery-conscious — no persistent sockets, no continuous GPS without user opt-in