BOB Learning Path — Getting Started¶
A structured learning sequence for anyone adopting BOB. Follow these steps to understand the system, verify your environment, and prepare for installation.
Overview¶
The learning path has 5 core steps that build on each other:
- Understand what BOB is — conceptual foundation
- Understand the tech stack — how layers work together
- Verify your environment — pre-flight checks
- Get comfortable with terminals — hands-on practice
- Ready for installation — next phase
Time estimate: 5–8 hours total (can be done at your own pace)
Step 1: Read BOB Overview¶
Time: 30–45 minutes
Read bob_overview carefully. This covers: - What BOB is and what problems it solves - How BOB differs from ChatGPT - The 4-layer tech stack (Obsidian → ACP → Claude Code → API) - The data flow (question → search → skill → answer) - Real business applications across sales, marketing, ops, finance, HR, strategy
What to do: - Read through without rushing - If a section is unclear, re-read it or research the concept independently - Note 2–3 concepts that surprised you or felt confusing - You now understand BOB conceptually
Step 2: Research the Tech Stack¶
Time: 1–2 hours
Deep-dive into each of the 4 layers:
| Layer | What to Research | Key Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Obsidian | Knowledge management, markdown, local-first | What is a vault? Why not cloud storage? What are plugins? |
| ACP Plugin | Agent Client Protocol, Obsidian integration | How does a plugin extend Obsidian? What does ACP do? |
| Claude Code | AI agent engine, decision-making | How is an agent different from a chatbot? What does "search" mean here? |
| API Layer | Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini models | Why can you swap the AI model? What's the difference? |
What to do: - Use the bob_overview as reference for what each layer does - Read official docs or blog posts for deeper understanding - Draw or sketch a simple tech stack diagram showing the 4 layers + data flow - You now understand how the pieces fit together
Step 3: Verify Your Environment¶
Time: 45–60 minutes
Run the environment_checklist to verify your machine has the required tools.
What to do: 1. Open a terminal (PowerShell on Windows, Terminal on Mac/Linux) 2. Follow each check in the checklist 3. Note the version numbers and pass/fail status 4. Fill in the summary table 5. If anything is missing, note it (you don't need to fix it yet)
Outcome: You now know what's on your machine and what you'll need to install
Step 4: Terminal Basics¶
Time: 1–1.5 hours
Get comfortable running commands in a terminal. You'll need this for installation and troubleshooting.
Key commands to practice:
| Command | What it does | Practice |
|---|---|---|
pwd |
Print working directory | Run it; see your current path |
ls or dir |
List files | Navigate to a folder and list contents |
cd <folder> |
Change directory | Move into a subfolder |
node --version |
Check version | Verify software is installed |
mkdir <name> |
Create folder | Make a test folder |
cat <file> |
Read file | View a text file |
What to do: - Open a terminal - Run at least 5–10 of the commands above - Try navigating folders, checking versions, creating files - Get a feel for how commands work - You now have basic terminal confidence
Step 5: Ready for Installation¶
Time: 0 minutes (this is your checkpoint)
If you've completed Steps 1–4:
✅ You understand what BOB is
✅ You understand the 4-layer tech stack
✅ You verified your environment
✅ You're comfortable with terminal basics
✅ You know what's missing on your machine
You're now ready for the installation phase — which provides step-by-step instructions for installing Obsidian, Claude Code, the ACP plugin, and this vault.
How to Use This Path¶
Self-Directed Learning¶
- Go through steps at your own pace
- Spend more time on steps that are confusing
- Use external resources (official docs, YouTube, blogs) to deepen understanding
- Note questions for your technical lead or team
Guided Learning (with a technical lead)¶
- Technical lead assigns the path and sets a timeline
- Complete each step, sharing results (BOB overview notes, tech stack diagram, environment checklist)
- Technical lead reviews and provides feedback
- Ask questions async or in check-in calls
Part of a Larger Program¶
- This path is Step 1 of a larger onboarding program
- After completing this path, you move to the installation phase
- Results from Step 3 (environment check) inform what gets installed in later phases
Reference Materials¶
| Topic | Document | Time |
|---|---|---|
| BOB Overview | bob_overview | 30 min |
| Environment Check | environment_checklist | 45 min |
| Obsidian Getting Started | getting_started | 20 min |
| Claude Code Setup | claude-code-installation-on-windows-using-wsl | Reference |
| Terminal Cheatsheet | linux_bash_cheatsheet | Reference |
| Obsidian Architecture | obsidian-architecture | 10 min |
Troubleshooting¶
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| BOB Overview is confusing | Re-read section; research the specific concept (Obsidian, Claude Code, etc.) |
| Don't know what to research | Use the "Key Questions" table in Step 2 as a guide |
| Environment check commands fail | See environment_checklist |
| Not comfortable with terminal | Practice more commands; reach out for help |
| Don't understand the data flow | Draw it out; the bob_overview has a step-by-step example |
What's Next¶
Once you've completed this learning path:
- Installation: see getting_started (full DIY) or jump to quickstart if you have a done-for-you install
- First Run: see quickstart — verify your install in 5 minutes
- Day-to-Day Use: see using_bob — patterns for real business work
- Advanced Topics: skills customization, vault management, multiple AI providers
The learning path is the foundation. Everything after builds on this understanding.