Getting Started with AI Tools

Not sure where to start? This guide is based on real conversations from our community — what tools we actually use, in what order, and why.

The best first step for anyone new to AI tools. No coding required.

Claude Cowork

What it does

An AI assistant that connects to your existing tools (email, calendars, meeting transcripts) and helps you get work done with context about what you're actually doing.

Who it's for

Anyone — especially if you're non-technical or want to automate repetitive tasks without writing code.

Where to start

Start by connecting your email and a meeting tool like Granola, then ask it to draft follow-up emails based on your recent meetings.

Try Claude Cowork

For when you're ready to build more complex workflows and automations.

Claude Code

What it does

A command-line AI tool that can write, edit, and run code on your computer. It's how many of our members build websites, automate workflows, and ship projects.

Who it's for

Anyone comfortable with a terminal, or willing to learn. You don't need to be a developer — many members started with zero coding experience.

Where to start

Install it and start with a simple project: a personal website, a data dashboard, or automating a daily task.

Claude Code Docs

AI Skills Framework

What it does

Skills are packaged instructions that tell an AI agent how to do a specific task. Think of them as recipes — you create them once, then reuse and share them.

Who it's for

Anyone who finds themselves repeating the same prompts or workflows. Skills help you package those into something consistent and shareable.

Where to start

Look at Anthropic's public skills repository to see examples, then try creating a skill for a task you do repeatedly.

Anthropic Cookbook

The broader agent ecosystem — for those who want to go deeper.

Agent Platforms (MeshAgent, etc.)

What it does

Platforms that let you build, share, and collaborate on AI agents with your team. MeshAgent, for example, provides shared 'rooms' where multiple people and agents can work together with shared files and databases.

Who it's for

Teams and founders who need to share AI-powered workflows across their organization, not just use them solo.

Where to start

If you're sharing vibe-coded apps via email or localhost, these platforms solve that problem. Start by exploring what collaborative features you actually need.

MeshAgent

Open Source Agents (NemoClaw)

What it does

Open source agent frameworks that can run on your computer 24/7, accept commands from your phone via Discord or Telegram, and build up memory over time. NemoClaw (by NVIDIA) adds security layers on top of the popular OpenClaw project.

Who it's for

Tinkerers and builders who want a self-running agent. Be aware: these require more technical setup and come with real security considerations.

Where to start

Our community consensus: start with Claude Code and Cowork first. Open source agents are worth watching but are still maturing. If you do try them, use NemoClaw for the added security.

NemoClaw on GitHub

Learn Together in Office Hours

Every week we break down the latest tools, share live demos, and answer questions. It's the fastest way to get up to speed.

See Office Hours Schedule