PRACTICAL AI GUIDES
Choose with a clear next step
Know what to try, what to check, and when a tool fits your work. Start with the decision in front of you.
These guides combine current primary sources with our own decision frameworks and worked examples. They are AI-assisted editorial guides, not hands-on benchmark reports. Hypothetical numbers are labelled.
01 · Buying decisions
Claude Code vs Cursor: a buying checklist for solo developers
Choose what to trial first using your editor workflow, review effort and cost per accepted task. Includes a repeatable trial brief and decision table.
Reviewed 2026-10-02 · 6 min read Read guide →
02 · Deployment decisionsCan Ollama run offline? Setup and an air-gap readiness checklist
Separate local inference from cloud models and connected tools. Prepare model files, disable cloud features and test the complete workflow without a network.
Reviewed 2026-10-02 · 6 min read Read guide →
03 · API procurementOpenRouter vs direct provider APIs: a production buying checklist
Compare routing flexibility, feature compatibility, operational ownership and cost per accepted task. Includes a migration checklist and a worked hypothetical budget.
Reviewed 2026-10-02 · 7 min read Read guide →