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Developer Onboarding

Welcome to Big Nerd Idea. This guide gets your machine set up to match Kevin's development environment. For the deeper rationale on folder layout, the CLAUDE.md hierarchy, and Claude collaboration phases, see Shared Development Approach.

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

Operational templates

Reusable templates for BNI operations. Added to this section as they are created.

Planned

  • [ ] Sponsorship agreement (BNI LLC → BNI Foundation annual donation)
  • [ ] Contractor/contributor agreement
  • [ ] Grant letter of inquiry template
  • [ ] Board meeting agenda and minutes template
  • [ ] Conflict-of-interest declaration form

Note

Templates will be added here as BNI formalizes operations through the 501(c)(3) formation process.