# Quick Start Guide - 5 Minutes to Persistent AI

Get Project Mind MCP running with Claude Desktop in under 5 minutes.

---

## ⏱️ 5-Minute Setup

### Step 1: Install (2 minutes)

```bash
# Clone repository
cd "D:/Project Mind"
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/project-mind-mcp.git
cd project-mind-mcp

# Install and build
npm install
npm run build
```

**✅ Checkpoint:** You should see a `dist/` folder with `index.js`

---

### Step 2: Configure (1 minute)

**Option A: Automatic (Recommended)**
```bash
npm run install:claude
```

**Option B: Manual**

Edit `claude_desktop_config.json`:

**Windows:** `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "project-mind": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["D:/Project Mind/project-mind-mcp/dist/index.js"]
    }
  }
}
```

**✅ Checkpoint:** Configuration file updated

---

### Step 3: Restart Claude (30 seconds)

1. Quit Claude Desktop completely
2. Wait 5 seconds
3. Start Claude Desktop

**✅ Checkpoint:** Claude Desktop restarted

---

### Step 4: Test Connection (1 minute)

In Claude, type:
```
Use Project Mind to list all registered projects
```

**Expected response:**
```
No projects registered yet. Would you like to register one?
```

**✅ Checkpoint:** Project Mind connected!

---

### Step 5: Register First Project (30 seconds)

```
Register a new project:
- ID: "my-project"
- Name: "My Project"
- Path: "C:/Projects/my-project"
```

**✅ Done!** You now have persistent AI intelligence.

---

## 🎯 What You Can Do Now

### Semantic Search
```
Index my-project and search for "authentication"
```

### Session Checkpoints
```
Start working on refactoring authentication system
```
Claude automatically checkpoints progress every few minutes.

### Pattern Learning
```
Record this as a successful pattern for future projects
```

### Crash Recovery
If Claude crashes, your next conversation starts with:
```
Resume incomplete work
```

---

## 🧪 Validation Checklist

Run these checks to ensure everything works:

### ✅ Check 1: MCP Connection
```
List all Project Mind tools
```
Should see 41 tools across 7 categories.

### ✅ Check 2: File Operations
```
Create a test file in "my-project":
- Path: "test.txt"
- Content: "Hello World"
```

### ✅ Check 3: Semantic Search
```
Index "my-project" and search for "hello"
```
Should find test.txt.

### ✅ Check 4: Session State
```
Save checkpoint for "my-project"
```
Should confirm checkpoint saved.

### ✅ Check 5: Pattern System
```
Record a test pattern for "my-project"
```
Should confirm pattern stored.

---

## 🐛 Common Issues & Fixes

### Issue: "I don't have access to Project Mind tools"

**Fix:**
1. Check config file exists: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
2. Validate JSON syntax
3. Verify path: `node "D:/Project Mind/project-mind-mcp/dist/index.js"`
4. Completely restart Claude Desktop

### Issue: "Error: Cannot find module"

**Fix:**
```bash
cd "D:/Project Mind/project-mind-mcp"
npm install
npm run build
```

### Issue: "Database error"

**Fix:**
```bash
mkdir -p "D:/Project Mind/project-mind-mcp/data"
# Restart Claude Desktop
```

### Issue: Tools work but return errors

**Fix:**
1. Check project paths are absolute
2. Ensure directories exist
3. Check file permissions
4. Clear database: `rm data/project-mind.db`

---

## 📚 Next Steps

### 1. Learn the Tools
```
Show me examples of using Project Mind tools
```

### 2. Index Your Projects
```
Register all my active projects and index them
```

### 3. Start Using Checkpoints
```
Begin working on [your task] with automatic checkpoints
```

### 4. Explore Pattern Learning
```
Show me any patterns we've discovered
```

---

## 🎓 Advanced Usage

### Multiple Projects
```
Register project "frontend" at C:/Projects/frontend
Register project "backend" at C:/Projects/backend
Register project "mobile" at C:/Projects/mobile
```

### Cross-Project Search
```
Search for "authentication" across all projects
```

### Pattern Recommendations
```
I'm working on "backend" and need to handle large files.
Suggest patterns from other projects.
```

### Session Packaging
```
Package my current session for git commit
```

---

## 📖 Full Documentation

- **Integration Guide:** [docs/INTEGRATION.md](INTEGRATION.md)
- **Tool Reference:** [docs/CLAUDE_TOOL_REFERENCE.md](CLAUDE_TOOL_REFERENCE.md)
- **Configuration:** [docs/CONFIG_TEMPLATE.md](CONFIG_TEMPLATE.md)
- **Architecture:** [docs/ARCHITECTURE.md](ARCHITECTURE.md)

---

## 🆘 Need Help?

1. Check MCP logs: `%APPDATA%\Claude\logs\mcp.log`
2. Review [Troubleshooting Guide](INTEGRATION.md#troubleshooting)
3. Open [GitHub Issue](https://github.com/yourusername/project-mind-mcp/issues)

---

**You're ready! Start building with persistent AI intelligence.** 🚀