Build Things That Act
Build Your First AI Agent
Start with one narrow job, one tool, and one success condition. Avoid building a “general assistant” first.
- Pick a repetitive task with a clear finish line.
- Give the agent only the tools it needs.
- Add structured outputs and failure handling.
- Test on real examples before adding autonomy.
- Add logging, human approval, and limits for consequential actions.
Build a No-Code AI Agent
Use visual automation when the value is connecting business systems rather than writing custom infrastructure.
- Trigger from a form, inbox, CRM, or schedule.
- Send only necessary context to the model.
- Return structured fields instead of free text.
- Route exceptions to a human.
- Track cost and failure rate from day one.
Choose an Agent Framework
Use simple tools for simple agents. Move to stateful frameworks only when you truly need memory, branching, retries, or multi-agent coordination.
- OpenAI Agents SDK: straightforward tool-use and handoffs.
- LangGraph: complex stateful workflows.
- CrewAI: role-oriented multi-agent teams.
- Google ADK / Microsoft Agent Framework: ecosystem-aligned agent development.
Connect Agents to Real Tools with MCP
MCP is a practical way to expose tools and data sources to compatible AI clients without hard-coding every integration into every assistant.
- Start with read-only tools.
- Use least-privilege credentials.
- Require confirmation for state-changing actions.
- Log tool calls and errors.
Get Better Answers
Optimize Claude for Real Work
Give Claude a role only when useful; prioritize context, examples, output format, constraints, and a clear definition of done.
- Put source material and requirements before stylistic instructions.
- Show one or two examples of the desired output.
- Separate facts from assumptions.
- Ask for a verification pass before final output.
- Turn repeatable work into a Skill.
Create a Claude Skill
Package repeatable instructions, scripts, references, and brand rules so Claude can load the right operating procedure when the task appears.
- Define the task and trigger conditions.
- Write the minimum reliable procedure.
- Add examples and reusable resources.
- Test edge cases.
- Version the Skill as your workflow changes.
Use Perplexity as a Research Engine
Start broad, inspect citations, then narrow the question. Treat generated summaries as a map to sources—not a substitute for source review.
- Ask a precise research question.
- Open the strongest cited sources.
- Run a second query looking specifically for contradictions.
- Separate current facts from background.
- Save the final source set before writing conclusions.
Build a Source-Grounded Research Notebook
Use NotebookLM when you want answers constrained to your own documents, reports, transcripts, and source library.
- Upload authoritative source material.
- Group sources by project.
- Ask for comparisons and contradictions.
- Trace important claims back to source passages.
- Export conclusions into your working document.
Make AI Useful to Owners
Small-Business AI Audit
Look for hours lost, leads missed, repeat questions, manual documents, and slow follow-up before recommending a chatbot or agent.
- List the owner's top five recurring tasks.
- Estimate time and revenue impact.
- Automate one low-risk workflow first.
- Measure before/after results.
- Only then expand into a larger AI stack.
Find Grants & Funding with AI Assistance
Use AI to organize eligibility requirements, deadlines, and draft material—but verify every opportunity at the original source.
- Create a reusable business profile and funding criteria.
- Search Grants.gov, Hello Alice, and relevant state/local sources.
- Use AI to compare eligibility requirements.
- Build a deadline and document tracker.
- Draft from verified facts; never invent traction, certifications, or impact.
AI Marketing Stack for a Local Business
One useful system can combine review-response drafting, social planning, FAQ creation, lead follow-up, and monthly reporting.
- Start with the channel already producing customers.
- Centralize business facts and brand voice.
- Use templates for repeat tasks.
- Require approval for public claims and offers.
- Report outcomes the owner understands: calls, bookings, leads, revenue.
Turn a Messy Business into an AI-Ready Business
AI works better after the business has clean documents, clear processes, and structured data.
- Organize SOPs, FAQs, pricing, services, and policies.
- Clean contact and product data.
- Document who approves what.
- Choose one system of record.
- Then connect AI to the cleaned workflow.
Use AI Where People Don't Expect It
Design a Tattoo Concept with AI
Use AI as a visual brainstorming partner—not as the final tattoo artist.
- Describe the symbolism and emotional meaning first.
- Explore multiple styles and compositions.
- Test how the design changes for body placement.
- Bring references to a professional artist.
- Let the artist redraw it for anatomy, longevity, and tattooability.
Visualize a Home Before Spending Money
Use AI mockups to compare paint, furniture, landscaping, staging, and curb appeal before committing to purchases.
- Start from a real photo.
- Change one variable at a time.
- Generate three realistic options.
- Translate the favorite into a materials list.
- Verify dimensions and real product availability separately.
AI as an Executive-Function Assistant
Use AI to reduce friction: break down vague tasks, rewrite confusing messages, estimate steps, and create a first action.
- Paste the task exactly as it exists in your head.
- Ask for the smallest next physical action.
- Time-box the first step.
- Use checklists instead of motivation.
AI for Garden & Landscape Planning
Combine plant identification, sun/water constraints, and visual mockups to plan a yard more intelligently.
- Identify existing plants and conditions.
- Map sun, climate, irrigation, pets, and maintenance limits.
- Generate visual concepts.
- Verify plant suitability with local horticultural sources.
- Build a phased shopping and installation plan.